Ganja
History of the Cups
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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.
1956, a Grave Injustice
One of the more infamous events in drug law history was the passage of the Narcotic Control Act in July of 1956. One of its many effects was the introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for possession, distribution and trafficking of drugs, particularly Marijuana. At this time, Marijuana was still highly castigated by the majority of the US population, especially those eager-to-please, power-hungry politicians. Henry J Anslinger (the man behind the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937) was still the drug czar of the era, and although this bill was not his brain-child, he certainly championed it as it gave enormous power to his organization (the Federal Bureau of Narcotics). Interestingly enough, some members of the Federal bureaucracy (those in law enforcement) were against this because it gave so much power to a sub-department of the Treasury Department. Some of its provisions wanted bureau agents to carry firearms and serve warrants. It also allowed them to make arrests and obtain wiretaps without warrants.
In the 1950’s, “narcotic” drug use was ramping up in the United States. Also, it was a time where the first congressional hearings were broadcast on television. These Senate hearings discussed organized crime and its continued rise in power. Where was this stemming from? More money = more power, and the crime lords were making vast swaths of money in drug trafficking, specifically heroin, cocaine and marijuana. For a quick tutorial on this, take a few minutes to check out The Godfather. There’s a great scene where the Dons of the Five Families get together and discuss how they will make peace between themselves and carve out their empires by building on drug revenue. Some were against drug sales due to moral objections (although they had no problem with gambling, prostitution and protection rackets) while others saw an untapped market just waiting to explode. Well, the entrepreneurs were right and drugs were indeed the wave of the future. It only takes a little taste to get most users hooked. So, a lot of society’s members were legitimately worried about this rising tide. It was a pity that Marijuana got caught up with the much more dangerous drugs, but alcohol and tobacco were once again ignored.
Let’s get to the meat-and-potatoes of this bill. It “increased the minimum and maximum penalties for all drug offenses to 1-10 years, 5-25 years, and 10-40 years for succeeding convictions; increased the fine in an categories to $20,000; and imposed 5-20 years upon first conviction for any smuggling or sale violation, and 10-40 years thereafter, with a separate penalty of 10-40 years for any sale or distribution by a person over eighteen to a minor, and from ten years to life, or death when a jury so recommended, if the drug was heroin. All discretion to suspend sentences or grant probation, and all parole eligibility-generally available to anyone convicted under any other federal criminal law-were prohibited except for first offenders convicted of possession only.” By removing the chance for parole, inmates had no incentive to reform their behavior and become functional members of society. Furthermore, the law required that anyone convicted of drug crimes must register and receive special licenses to exit and enter any borders of the United States. Failure to comply with this provision led to fines and further imprisonment. There are a few more caveats to this piece of legislation; if there are any interested people, that information can be found here.
This law stood until it was thankfully overturned in 1970. It led to many thousands of arrests and incarcerations. Many of the convicted were young offenders and served the majority of their lives in jail, if they lived long enough to be released. There were a lucky few who were pardoned by President Kennedy in 1962, but there were very few.
Surprised, horrified, and/or upset by this tidbit of history? Well, there’s plenty more where that came from. Luckily this law is gone, but the Marijuana community has many more battles to fight before they can declare victory.
A Touch of the Vapors
For the majority of cannabis patients, smoking is the most common and easiest way to medicate. Herb, pipe and fire are all that is needed. Some people however, are unable to handle the smoke delivery method. There are those with weakened pulmonary systems, or are prone to infection. There are many other ways of bringing cannabinoids into the body. Today a patient can get edibles, tinctures, or use a vaporizer. These marvels of modern technology are capable of delivering all of the good chemicals from cannabis, without any of the junk that comes with smoking.
Vaporizers, as the name says, brings the chemicals to their just below their flashpoint (when a chemical ignites) without combustion. That means that tar, CO, CO2 and other toxic compounds are neither produced, nor inhaled. Only the desired chemicals, THC, CBD, CBN and other cannabinoids, are delivered to the lungs and absorbed into the body. So, it’s a purer delivery and safer for the user. While on the topic of safety, no combustion means no fire. And no fire means no accidentally burning down the house. Most vaporizers operate best between 170°C and 190°C. THC vaporizes at 150°C and other cannabinoids at slightly higher temperatures. Cannabis and its component chemicals have flashpoints just above 200°C, so try to avoid any machines that operate at that temperature, or else it will be just like smoking.
There are numerous machines are the market, from little portable devices, such as the iolite, to the king of them all, the Volcano. Some are activate and inhale, while others have a variety of settings allowing the user to customize to their preference. The more complex devices allow users the choice of setting the temperature so they can use it for other herbs such as sage and clove (which have their own therapeutic benefits). Iolite‘s portable devices are very easy to operate; they require only herbs and butane as a fuel. Volcano Vaporizers have require a little bit more work. They have adjustable temperature settings and numerous attachments. Theirs is an interesting setup. The machine works by vaporizing the herbs and expelling the vapor into a big plastic bag (similar in size to bags on the Sunday newspaper), which stores the gas and can be inhaled through a valve. That’s very convenient because the bag is portable, and can be passed around. However, the longer the vapor sits, the lower the quality is. As it cools, the cannabinoids condense onto the lining of the bag so potency will decrease over time.
There are a few rules that people should know about vaporizers. First of all, herbs must be broken up finely, preferably ground up, to maximize surface area for a clean burn (well, not really burning but don’t drop a whole nug into the chamber) Second, herbs should be properly dried. If it is still moist than water will vaporize to steam and that can damage sinus, esophageal and lung tissue. Nobody wants to medicate only to find themselves the victim of a steam burn. Also, higher moisture contents lead to stickier remains and more difficulty while cleaning the equipment.
Most of these devices are not cheap. Some users prefer to spend the same amount of money on a large pipe or a classy bong, but they won’t deliver the medication as kindly to the body. Third, remember to clean the device after use.
There are lots of vaporizers on the market so take time to look into your own requirements, whether for ease of use or level build quality. Some can be costly but well worth it so make sure it fits your needs. You can also check out vapornation for an excellent selection and prices on quality products.
Marijuana in Music
“See I think drugs have done some good things for us. I really do. And if you don’t believe that drugs have done good things for us, do me a favor and go home tonight and take all your albums, all your tapes and all your CDs and burn them. Because you know what, the musicians that have made all that great music that’s
enhanced your life throughout all the years were reeaaaal f*cking high on drugs.” -Bill Hicks
Music and Marijuana, it’s like peanut butter and jelly. Some things just go great together. Musicians have been writing songs about cannabis for years. And it transcends all genres, too. Country, rap, rock, metal, blues, there are fans to be found everywhere, except maybe opera (although it may enhance the fan experience). Why does this matter? Some of the most outspoken members of society who are in favor of legalizing marijuana are musicians. The most famous event for music and cannabis was, of course, Woodstock. That began a grand tradition of music festivals that continue to this day. The most recent event was the San Bernadino SmokeOut, sponsored by Cypress Hill, and featuring many other bands who believe in the power of the leaf. But what do these bands have to say about it? Pop on an album and listen to them.
Cypress Hill has written numerous songs about marijuana, how much they love it, when they smoke it, and why they smoke it. One track, “K.U.S.H.” off their latest album Rise Up is all about a specific strain, and why they like that one more than the others.
K.U.S.H keeps us so high
the more I smoke, the higher I get
the better I feel, I can’t quit
One reason they love it, it brings people together. Everybody is down with Cypress Hill, “Snoop Dogg and Dre are down with us/ Cheech and Chong they’re down with us.” And so are Willie Nelson, Bruce Willis, Halle Berry, Dave Chapelle, and Dionne Warwick. It is a uniter, not a divider; how could smoking it be wrong?
Sublime’s “Smoke Two Joints” (written by The Toyes in 1983, not Bob Marley) is one of the most famous pro-marijuana songs of all time. Why not, “I smoke two joints in the afternoon, it makes me feel alright.” Some will argue, it can’t be good because drugs killed Bradley Nowell, Sublime’s original lead singer. It wasn’t marijuana that killed him; it was heroin. Hard drugs have killed many musicians, but not one has overdosed on cannabis.
Bands from the SmokeOut weren’t the first ones on the block singing about marijuana. Black Sabbath, the godfather’s of Heavy Metal, were all about the “Sweet Leaf.” That song really gets the introspective properties of smoking.
When I first met you, didn’t realize
I can’t forget you, for your surprise
you introduced me, to my mind
And left me wanting, you and your kind
I love you, Oh you know it
My life was empty, forever on a down
Until you took me, showed me around
My life is free now, my life is clear
I love you sweet leaf, though you can’t hear
Come on now, try it out
Straight people don’t know, what you’re about
They put you down and shut you out
you gave to me a new belief
and soon the world will love you sweet leaf
Ozzy vocals capture all the positive aspects that people look for when medicating with marijuana. It brings clarity of mind, and surety of self. A life once so negative is now euphoric. And then he invites all the non-believers to try it out too. Maybe it is something that the world could do with more of, open minds.
Anti-Marijuana Propaganda from the Mid-20th Century
For over 70 years Marijuana has been illegal in the United States. In that time, the powers-that-be have used many forms of propaganda to maintain their control over people’s fear of cannabis in order to prevent the reforms happening today. Initially, the fear and hatred of marijuana was stirred up by Henry J. Anslinger and his cunning use of racism and bigotry. Anslinger and William Randolph Hearst (Hearst publishing) preyed upon the feelings of the white majority and ideas of miscegenation (white women + not-white men). They also made sure people feared a minority uprising, led by unstoppable drugged-out berserker pot-heads. To this day there are still people who fear this, and push for continuing anti-marijuana legislation. However, one fear cannot be stoked continuously for 70 years. As time went by new fears were co-opted and put to use for the war on drugs.
Cannabis and hemp were made illegal in the 1930’s, but hemp was then re-allowed in World War 2 because of its industrial use. After the war ended the ban was reinstated and something else was needed to enforce it. Enter the threat to National Security. That’s right, after the Nazis were defeated and ideas of Superior Races were less popular the country needed something else to unify it. America had a new enemy… Communism! After the war, Anslinger continued to consolidate power into the government apparatus that would eventually become the DEA. With Senator Hale Boggs as his partner, President Harry Truman was convinced that drugs were being utilized by Communist China to subvert Americans and undermine our democracy. In 1951 Truman signed the Boggs Act which imposed strict penalties for violating the import/export laws pertaining to drugs. Part of these penalties were tough mandatory minimum prison sentences. In 1961, Anslinger had JFK used the US influence at the UN to push for an anti-drug convention that eventually saw over 100 countries agree to make marijuana illegal. It would not be the last time that national security would be used as a scapegoat for anti-drug sentiment. All of this helped build the reaction to the counterculture of the 1960’s and 70’s.
In the 1980’s and 90’s, most anti-drug PSA’s (Public Service Announcement) were focused on the negative effects of drugs on the mind, body and social ties. Anybody remember the “This is your brain on drugs” video with the smashed egg? Well, after the terror attacks of September 11, that type of ad moved to the back burner in favor of a terror and drugs cocktail. Many drugs are produced and exported by terror-supporting organizations (not going to debate that here) but once again cannabis was also targeted in these ads. So the teenager buying a bag from his dealer (which was probably grown domestically, in some backwood) is now helping Al-Qaeda to blow up airplanes and shoot marines. One particular PSA shows two men debating the truth of this. The skeptic says he doesn’t believe it, and the other guy says “It’s true,” repeatedly until the other man is convinced. There’s no evidence offered, or even a counterargument. He maintains his position and eventually the other guy is converted. As a 30-second tv spot makes a strong emotional impression, which is the crux of most propaganda. Facts are distorted in order to evoke an emotional response, which has been proven to create a stronger impression than just a factual argument… so far.
Calling All Activists!
When the 2008 election was still up in the air, Barack Obama was campaigning as a medical marijuana-friendly candidate. In that time, we have seen numerous states struggle towards legalizing medicinal marijuana, and still others that have already passed their legislation are finding constant resistance in the forms of unconstitutional bans and arbitrary paperwork that continually holds up the process of getting safe medicine to patients.
California has seen more dispensary raids from the IRS and DOJ during Obama’s reign than during all of GW Bush’s eight years. Why is this happening? We need to raise our voices, louder and more unified than ever. America stands at a crossroads, but now more than ever patients and all citizens must stand behind what they believe in. In this modern era of instant communication, our country can have a stronger, more powerful voice, if only we are willing to use it.
For people who care about the laws of our land and the future it endows, there is so much that can be done. Stand up and make your vote count! Become active in your community. Join a protest at city hall, help spread education and awareness about all the benefits of medical marijuana, or maybe even go as far as to head to D.C. and march on the state capital. Show them who we are by making our presence known through peaceful protests. For those who are less inclined to leave the home, or who simply cannot, there is still much that can be done. Concerned citizens should call their legislators, write a letter to your congressmen, sign petitions, send emails, start a blog and rile up some additional supporters and encourage them to get involved.
Dispensaries have flourished in recent times and have grown some of the finest medication in the world. Colorado, California and other states have led by example, but make no mistake,we still have a long road ahead. The medical marijuana system may not be perfect yet, but it is working in the right direction. Other states, like New Jersey and Hawaii, have passed laws that allow for programs, yet their laws were poorly constructed and they remain unusable. In Hawaii you can get a card to allow you to medicate legally, but there contain no provisions for legally procuring medicine. It is legal to grow and own up to seven plants, but it is still illegal to purchase marijuana plants or seeds to begin a personal grow operation. Also, many employers utilize zero tolerance drug policies that make no exceptions for people who are otherwise abiding by state laws. How does a patient grow their own plants if they can’t hold down a job, therefore they have no income for a home to grow in, or even have money to feed themselves?
Americans need to stand up now and tell all the power-hungry naysayers that we will no longer tolerate the abuse of power and stifling of freedoms. We the people have no more excuses for being lazy. If you can’t figure out how to get involved, then look no further. Marijuana.net will spell it out for you.
Are you in California? Cypress Hill’s San Bernadino SmokeOut was Saturday March 3rd, and two days earlier was the March on LA’s City Hall to demonstrate unhappiness with how laws are being carried out. Thank you to those who made it out. There is more for us to do. Those near San Francisco will also have their opportunity to ensure Safe Access. March will see several County Board Meetings that need people to help out.
Maryland is another state seeking to pass laws in favor of medical marijuana. They need help to guarantee it passes. Furthermore, the right law needs to be passed so that Maryland does not become another New Jersey or Hawaii. Want to help? Check this out.
Michigan is reviewing its current laws and is looking to alter them with several bills that will give its program a chance to grow into something as grand as California, and not stumble where the Golden state has. Concerned citizens near Lansing are holding a forum on March 4th to coordinate a uniform front as they approach legislators and hope to pass a proper set of laws.
We can’t list what every state is doing right here, but we encourage you to find out and help wherever you are. Marijuana.net has been covering developments for some time so please check our archives to find what is relevant. Here are a few other resources for anyone who wants to help.
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
Law Enforcement Against Prohibition
One more thing. For those who find that political activism is the right thing to do, don’t stop with marijuana laws. This country needs more people to help it be the best it can be. As more people stand up for what they believe in, America will find itself less dominated by the interests of corporations and power-grabbing politicians. It is our country, fight for it.
Keep it Clean
Purity of product is one of the most essential requirements of any medication. To date, it is not something that has been overly emphasized for medical marijuana. It’s a naturally occurring plant that grows in the ground; what could be wrong with it? Well, usually nothing. But that is no reason to assume that any crop is 100% pure cannabis. So, what can go wrong with marijuana? There are some naturally occurring problems that plague growers, like molds, fungus, and pests. These strike during the growing process and can damage yields and potency of crops, but have minimal effects on users. The other, more dangerous problems are those that are man-made. The nefarious and artificial treatment of marijuana can be very dangerous and is popularly known as “laced weed.” Both of these problems can be addressed through regulation and proper laboratory testing of marijuana.
The diseases that strike cannabis crops are usually detectable by the vigilant grower. All diseases have symptoms, and the primary caretaker should know how to spot them. Proper climate control is the key to maintaining crop growth. Sometimes the plant’s environment will have a pH (acidity) imbalance and that can effect calcium intake, which severely impairs a plant’s life processes. Calcium is key for proper osmosis within the plant’s cells, which is how plants take in energy and remove waste on a cellular level. Growers will observe plants with yellow leaves or brown stalks, and these are indicators of imbalances in pH or nitrogen shortages. Molds and fungus also strike at cannabis and must be treated immediately or else the crop will be lost. Pythium is one such mold that leads to rot in the roots and stem. Mold and fungus can be controlled with proper humidity. And if a mold or fungus attack is spotted early enough, the effected plants can be removed or sometimes treated with fungicides. However, be wary of treating plants with chemicals. They must be removed, or catalyzed before people can enjoy a safe product.
Pests can also be a big problem for growers, especially as grow operations continue to grow in size and complexity. An unnoticed invader can easily spread and damage a whole operation. One of problems with cloning operations is that all the plants in a crop will be identical. So, if one plant is susceptible to a pest or disease then all of them will be. That makes it very easy for plagues to multiply across a garden in very short time. Some pests that have been striking California growers include spider mites, white flies, and lice. These bugs are small but they pack a punch. But why do they attack our plants? For the sweet sweet sap, the plant’s life-blood. The majority of these pests hide from the eye, underneath leaves but you will notice their presence. They chew into the plant’s veins and suck out the sap. This leaves white spots on leaves, buds and any affected area. But there is good news for growers. There are natural remedies for some of these killers. Spider mites, identifiable by the webs they spin (and the fact they are spiders and not insects), are the favored snack of Phytoseiulus persimilis (Predator Mite). So, get a batch of those guys and a magnifying glass then you can watch as your enemies are eaten and destroyed! White flies and lice can be treated with Assassinator wasps (awesome name) and Amblyseius cucumeris. However, the most effective way to protect a crop is through proper climate control and sterile surfaces. This prevents plagues and pests from finding their way to the plants in the first place.
By far the most notorious impurities in marijuana are those added to it by people, after it is harvested. Manufactured drugs (cocaine, heroin, meth, crack) are routinely cut with impure chemicals to increase profit and decrease potency. For years people have known that they can find sugar, baking powder, drano, other herbs, and even Crisco in their designer drugs (that’s if their drugs even have any of the real drug in it). It doesn’t happen too often in the United States that laced marijuana makes it into the news. Why would someone do that? Sometimes a plant yields a weak potency (perhaps due to previously listed problems) or maybe a dealer wants to add weight to make it seem like a larger crop. And sometimes, they’re looking to get users hooked on other drugs and use a sprinkle of coke or heroin to jump-start a smoker into a profit-bearing coke addict. These are serious issues that can mean life or death for the unsuspecting cannabis user. Marijuana effects people because the chemicals in it mimic those already in our bodies. When foreign chemicals (pesticides, embalming fluids, meth) are inhaled the experience is much different and can be life-wrecking, even deadly. The big problem for most people in this country, is that the majority of users must purchase their marijuana illegally from black market sources, and there is no accountability for purity from these suppliers.
The key to ensuring pure marijuana for patients is regulation and quality-control testing. In states like California and Colorado where medical marijuana is legal, regulation is underway and patients have a communal voice that can call for enforceable standards. In other states, patients have no way to ensure their products will be clean. All they can do is avoid known crop-adulterers and hope the next bag is clean. The Werc Shop is one of the leading labs for cannabis control and testing. They ensure that patients are getting 100% pure marijuana from their suppliers. They test for anything that people should worry about. Their dedicated technicians spot spider mites, find fungi and fungicides, and sniff out poisons. Also, they analyze and break down the chemical contents of the buds. It helps patients figure out what to buy. Some people want a higher CBD content for treating inflammation and pain. Others want something with more THC to treat depression or anxiety. And as research unfolds, letting us know which chemicals help treat which ailments, these “ingredients labels” will be a great aid for future treatments.
Cypress Hill Presents: The 2012 San Bernadino SmokeOut
Okay patients, waiting for is nearly over. The 2010 San Bernadino SmokeOut from Cypress Hill is simply nearby. For individuals individuals that do not know, The SmokeOut is definitely an annual event that Cypress Hill has backed and set together since 1998. Their mission statement, “The SmokeOut Medicinal Marijuana Expo is founded in the fact that the general public is much better offered when people and public authorities work cooperatively to be able to effectively accomplish goals,” is all about uniting to make sure that the Medicinal Marijuana Movement continues forward, building upon its achievements and conquering the brand new hurdles that rise to bar progress. It’s also about getting a lot of fun. The 2010 selection features heavy-players like Korn, Sublime with Rome is headlining, and also the ever-present Cypress Hill, along with a couple of other treats.
How can this be evening not the same as other festivals? You are able to break it lower into three parts. First may be the music, which is really a large draw for many people. Cypress Hill happens to be about disregarding limitations, and then any fan of the music notice they don’t hesitate to combine up styles and influences. That’s fantastic since it means they’ll draw an audience from individuals with diverse interests. So, should you appear only for the background music, you’re going to get individuals who like a myriad of tunes. Which means individuals are getting uncovered to new ideas also it will make them open their brains a little. Second, it’s a professional-medicinal marijuana event along with a huge setup for individuals individuals who require medication. You will see another area where people from the medical community will have the ability to medicate (verification needed for those patients trying to medicate for the reason). Third, it’s a massive trade event event for that marijuana community. Individuals who attend might find vendor platforms for items and tools from the trade. You’ll also have areas put aside for discussions by experts within the medical area, in addition to individuals pioneers of politics that need to grow the legalisation/decriminalization efforts. You’ll also have people from Cannabis Testing Labs, that is a large deal. The regulation and standardization of marijuana for treatment is an integral part from the movement. All medications are strictly controlled and should stick to recommendations. It ought to be exactly the same for cannabis therefore, farmers (large and small-scale) have to be educated and attributed for his or her product.
NORML, People in america for Safe Access (ASA), a couple of political figures, LEAP (Police Force Against Prohibition) and many other organizations is going to be getting sections and cubicles to assist spread information and promote activism. Marijuana.internet may have representation to ensure that people in our community will have the ability to meet those who make our website and work possible.
For individuals who reach attend the big event, you want a safe and enjoyable day. Make sure to go to the SmokeOut occasions page and appearance the rules for medicating prior to going. It might be a pity if our buddies weren’t permitted in simply because they did not bring their documents. Have some fun, but don’t forget it is not concerning the eventually, it’s about using the movement forward.
Proposed Kentucky Medical Marijuana Law Shows Change in Midwest Politics
The traditional ideas of red and blue state politics may no longer apply. Many Southern and Midwest states are seriously considering medical marijuana, a political issue that would have surely had little chance of passage only several years ago.
With Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama among states that either permit medical marijuana or have pending legislation that could legalize it, the political map has changed drastically. Medical marijuana is becoming a consensus issue, and Kentucky is the newest state to join the mix. Kentucky state senator Perry B. Clark (D-Louisville) has sponsored Senate Bill 129, which would move marijuana from a schedule I to a schedule II substance and allow physicians to prescribe marijuana. The bill is also being titled the Gatewood Galbraith Memorial Medical Marijuana Act, after the high profile attorney who advocated for marijuana reform. Unfortunately, Louis Gatewood Galbraith passed away last month.
Senator Clark cited a poll conducted by the Marijuana Policy Project which indicated that over 81% of Americans feel doctors should be able to prescribe marijuana to patients who are in need of relief. Under the new bill patients would be allowed to have up to 5 ounces of marijuana per month. He also said “Marijuana has positive medical benefits for patients dealing with illnesses like cancer, multiple sclerosis, and AIDS, to name a few, I want to allow this as another treatment option for those individuals.”
This proposed legislation comes from a state where many may be surprised to see considering medical marijuana. As mentioned above, predictable politics is no longer a sure business. Technology connects us at speeds only limited by our high speed internet connections. As patients continue to share their stories, it will not matter what state one resides in, health and relief are desired in both red and blue states alike.
Cartel’s Advanced Tunnel System may pose a serious Security Threat to U.S.
As new details are provided concerning the fight against drugs, this news isn’t positive. While U.S. government bodies happen to be fighting cartel forces for many years, the conflict may now be a much bigger domestic threat.
U.S. Border Patrol agents have found over 160 illegal tunnels across the U.S./Mexico border. However, agents have found much more advanced tunnel systems lately. Huge amount of money are increasingly being spent to equip the marijuana smuggling tunnels with lighting and today even railway systems. Many government bodies believe the geography in Tijuana might be especially useful towards the efforts from the cartel. U.S. attorney Laura E. Duffy has stated that smugglers use horizontal drills that don’t disturb top soil making recognition difficult. The soil is soft and simple to drill through. North Park College anthropologist Victor Clark Alfaro feels this really is one more reason which helps the efforts of individuals digging the tunnels. He lately stated the “noise in the airport terminal is a superb benefit to them.” Probably the most advanced tunnels have been discovered near Tijuana Airport Terminal.
Escalation is definitely an issue in police force. Aggression always provides the opportunity for retaliation, and cartel efforts to smuggle marijuana now pose a much greater security problem than in the past. The weapons and transportation employed by smugglers has become progressively advanced as U.S. agents have concurrently elevated its degree of pressure used to look for marijuana. The fight against drugs cost has jumped in to the billions, as the intended target is continuing to grow unmanageable. America’s almost century lengthy fight against marijuana has produced a scenario where organized crime makes money and people are frequently forced to cope with them (even when in a roundabout way) when they seek relief. A lot of us will invariably question just how much bloodshed and today domestic security risk might have been prevented having a more sensible approach toward marijuana. With no underground community, it is not easy to picture 100s of subterranean tunnels being funded by organized crime.
Of course, national security is a large area of the approaching presidential election. In the end watch two males in customized suits discuss issues overseas or even the Mexican border as it requires immigration, will People in america again be refused the chance to listen to our leaders discuss our most harmful and native security risks?