“Reefer Madness”
The Beginner’s Guide to Concentrates, Dabbing, and Dab Rigs
The Beginner’s Guide to Concentrates, Dabbing, and Dab Rigs As cannabis has become legal for medical and recreational use in various states over the past 20 years, there has been a lot of experimentation and innovation in the ways marijuana is cultivated and consumed. One of the most popular developments in the industry has been […]
INFOGRAPHIC: Up in Smoke: A Timeline of Marijuana Use in the U.S
Up in Smoke: A Timeline of Marijuana Use in the U.S
Marijuana may be used to treat addiction in Columbia
Marijuana’s reputation was relentlessly attacked for decades. We at marijuana.net have spoken in great length about the propaganda our government has utilized to attack a plant. Movies such as “Reefer Madness” were used to scare much of the general population, while the War on Drugs has worn out everything from morale to finances. Propaganda movies and failed politics appear to be on the way out.
While the new marijuana reform movement and medical research has helped to change the perception of cannabis considerably, we have just learned of a new development that is groundbreaking. It appears that Columbia’s capital city, Bogota, is considering a new approach to combating the issue of serious drug use. In this case marijuana is not the villain, but may in fact be the savior. The mayor of Bogota in the city may administer a program that would have basuco users (a cocaine derivative often compared to crack) use marijuana to help combat their physical addiction.
Basuco is considered to be one of the least pure forms of cocaine and there is widespread concern over its health implications. Experts estimate that there are over7000 problem users (those who take 15-20 hits per day). There are likely many other users in need of help who use slightly less.
It will be interesting to see if such a program ever makes its way to the united states. Amanda Reiman of The Drug Policy Alliance does not think it will be anytime soon as she recently told ABC news “Unfortunately, universities rely on grants from the federal government for research, so most of what they do is what the feds want done. As you can probably guess, the feds are not too interested in beneficial uses for marijuana, and even less interested in how to help people who are addicted to substances, so most of the research in this area occurs outside the U.S. or through private funding.” If the program is successful in Colombia us authorities may have no choice. Support for medical marijuana is growing rapidly, and research is regularly revealing new ways in which cannabis can aid patients.
Marijuana Media Propaganda continues today
The line between propaganda and politics can be razor thin. Laws in this country are often passed only when jobs are on the line and/or the public demands action. Propaganda has been used throughout history to perpetuate the political and social agendas. Marijuana in the 20th and 21st century in America is a standout example of this.
Most of us at least viewed clips of “Reefer Madness” and while this would be considered absurd by today’s standards, it actually may have helped set marijuana back by decades. As always, people feared the unknown. As a result there has been a cultural and generational divide for so long. It is now only in recent years with global communication now becoming instant, that we are seeing a real difference. The facts are taking hold and patients are able to share their stories. However technology often has its drawbacks, and of course the internet is no different.
With marijuana skyrocketing in acceptance and popularity, it no longer is viable for the media to claim that “marijuana is the smoke of hell”. The media now tries to deceive in a more subtle way. “Spin” is the common term used in political and campaign circles when describing how to take a singular event and dress it up in a way that is politically self serving. This week alone we were able to see two high profile examples of this. We at marijuana.net were not even looking for these stories, but there are so many like this that they basically fell into our laps.
We reported several weeks ago that cannabis was found to help patients deal with the symptoms of MS. Another study published this week stated that marijuana does not stop the spread. No one made the claim that marijuana would be curing MS, just that a patient’s quality of life can improve if they use medical marijuana. The article headlines regarding the study jump on marijuana not being able to cure the condition, placing a negative focus on medical marijuana. Would we say that aspirin is a failure because it did not cure a migraine but allowed a person to have a pain free afternoon? In another separate story, media outlets jumped on a poll that showed that California residents were split and even slightly opposed to totally legalizing marijuana. However, the polls also show that an overwhelming 80% of residents in California want medical marijuana to be permitted. Many of the articles barely mention this while jumping on the legalization numbers. However, is it not impressive and newsworthy that such a diverse state has come to a consensus on medical marijuana especially in the midst of the LA City Council trying to shut down dispensaries?
Blatant falsehoods regarding marijuana may be on the decline, but this new propaganda war will be fought much more subtlety. This is a headline reading culture with many people not taking the time to read what is under the title, and those with an anti cannabis agenda certainly are aware of this. As creative as the headlines can be, they are often devoid of any charm after the title sentence and we just ask that you read on.
Synthetic Marijuana Linked To Teen Cardiac Arrest
The drug policy within the U . s . States has the feel of an adaptable gymnast attempting to win a powerful bet on twister. You are able to only cover a lot of spots in the light of day. Eventually you will see some strain on our bodies.
Three separate teens in Texas experienced cardiac arrest that appear to become associated with smoking a synthetic type of cannabis. The boys accepted to presenting a known synthetic product named K2 within times of their attacks. Based on the boys, soon after they smoked K2, they believed discomfort within their chest. The 3 from the boys are 16 years of age and also have no previous good reputation for cardiovascular issues. This is really not the very first story which has introduced the security of synthetic cannabinoids into question.
A few of the collateral damage triggered through the U . s . States fight against drugs isn’t necessarily apparent. The archaic approach of the us government toward marijuana accounts for the increasing of the synthetic-cannabis underground community. True marijuana reform previously might have reduced the interest in a underground community of synthetic cannabinoids. Components for example jwh-018 happen to be banned however the floodgates may happen to be opened up. Labs have produced additional synthetics and presently turn to have the ability to stay a measure in front of the law. Suspending these compounds might be like attempting to fix a number of leaks within the Hoover Dam with a bit of scotch tape along with a stick of gum. New leaks will form and also the problem certainly doesn’t disappear. We’re knowledgeable the fight against drugs has led to many sufferers in other nations, however these teens might be domestic sufferers.
Beside legislative change it could also be time to employ a more upfront approach in marijuana education. Reviews of synthetic marijuana’s safety concerns aren’t new, but includes a more youthful generation updated out individuals concerns? A lot of us heard the ultimate alerts and propaganda of marijuana that didn’t arrived at fruition. It’s time to rebuild trust and set an finish for this reefer madness.
Four Americans Still Receive Marijuana From Federal Government
The Marijuana Tax Act, which made the sale possession and cultivation of marijuana illegal under federal law was instituted in 1937. The passage of this billed was aided with the success of the propaganda laced “Reefer Madness” film. Of course this has been common knowledge for a long time. Or is it?
Surprisingly, four individuals do in fact receive marijuana from the federal government. In 1976, a court settlement was reached resulting in 14 people being able to receive high quality medical marijuana from the federal government. The program is not often discussed in the mainstream and the government has likely wanted to keep it this way for past 35 years. Like anyone in politics, the federal government has a past, or an embarrassing cousin they do not want us to meet. With states legalizing marijuana and federal raids, the government does not want us to think there was a time where they had a free spirited youth.
This story is not new, in fact it is 35 years old. This is like finding out your spouse has been leading a secret life. The subject hit news recently as a 72 year old woman from Oregon was pulled over and informed state troopers that her marijuana was issued by the federal government. They held obvious skepticism to the woman’s claim, but after follow up through proper channels, realized she was telling the truth.
With more research pouring in on the therapeutic/medicinal value of cannabis and the economic relief that accompanies decriminalization, the federal government’s position on marijuana has already been greatly weakened. To now see that the federal government has the ability to cultivate, monitor, and distribute the very medicine they have preached against devastates their case. The feds say there is no contradiction here but that seems to be a difficult sale considering the facts. Can this create momentum for marijuana decriminalization/legalization? Will the federal government consider expanding an already existing program? Or will they just try to straighten out their story and continue to put a strain on tax dollars?