NORML
History of the Cups
[/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.
Protests in New York City Held in Support of Marijuana Reform amid Giant St. Patrick’s Celebration
Over the weekend New York City upheld one of its most famous and long standing traditions. Over 100,000 people dressed in green were in attendance for the 2012 St. Patrick’s Day Parade where the consumption of corn beef and alcohol are commonplace.
Another celebration of green took place during the parade as well. Members of the New York State chapter of NORML made their way through the raucous crowd and to City Hall. This protest now marks the 3rd annual protest on New York’s City Hall. Holding the protest during the most recognized binge drinking holiday was not by accident. Doug Greene, the Legislative Director of Empire State NORML told CBS 880 news at the protest that “We’re reminding New York City that there is a safer alternative to pools of vomit in the streets.” He also went on to say “There were over 50,000 arrests last year for low-level marijuana possession, which is a waste of scarce city resources.”
New York City is known for setting trends in fashion, finance, cuisine, and social movements. However, it still is known as an unfriendly destination for cannabis patients and advocates. As Doug Greene mentioned, there was still a very amount of low level possession arrests last year. What is more troubling is this still occurred in the face of a direct memo from NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly who released a memo trying to curb the low level convictions. Although the numbers did decline toward the latter part of 2011, convictions were still alarmingly high.
Although New York State decriminalized marijuana possession over 30 years ago, the New York City police have been overly aggressive in issuing misdemeanor arrests for public use and/or possession. One former NYC police officer joined the protest at City Hall and reflected on her time as a police officer. Joanne Naughton said ” I retired as a lieutenant from the NYPD… What I did decades ago wasn’t any good, didn’t do any good. It was a waste of time.” While activists may have more work ahead, there is a bill in New York State’s legislature that could legalize medical marijuana. New trends can seemingly come out of nowhere and as the famous Don Henley song suggests, situations in New York can change in a minute.
Legislators in Connecticut Consider Medical Marijuana Again
While most of the focus from the major news outlets yesterday was on the Super Tuesday results, patients in the northeast may have been even more engaged in another development. Connecticut residents may find relief as state lawmakers are again proposing a medical marijuana program.
Previous efforts to legalize medical marijuana in Connecticut have failed, however advocates feel they have addressed the issues that led to political failure. The executive director of the Connecticut branch of NORML, Erik Williams, has reportedly said that a newly proposed bill would be the best in the nation if passed. Marijuana cultivators would have to submit to a detailed licensing process. The bill would require dispensaries to have licensed pharmacists either present or on call which Williams claims is a key difference between this and past legislation.
Erik Williams is not the only one who senses a different political environment for medical marijuana in Connecticut. State senator John Kissel, (R-Enfield) said “For some reason, even though this is a short session, I think this is the year.” Another state representative, John Hetherington, (R-New Canaan) backed up Senator Kissel’s feeling. In 2007, a bill made it through the state legislators only to be vetoed by former Governor Rell. While the current governor Daniel P. Malloy has not commented on this new bill, his spokesman Andrew Doba said, “The governor has said in the past that he supports the concept of the palliative use of marijuana for debilitating illnesses.”
Momentum seems to be in favor of patients residing in Connecticut as many state legislators and the governor seem to support medical marijuana. If Connecticut legalized medical cannabis they would join several northeast neighbors. Rhode Island, New Jersey, Vermont, and Delaware have legalized marijuana (click here for all states with legalized marijuana) while states such as New York, Massachusetts, and Maryland (here is a list of all states with pending marijuana legislation) have pending legislation that could start medical marijuana programs in those states.
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.
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.
Those Incredible Edibles
Like a giant pink elephant in the room, detractors of marijuana only assume that intake is done via smoking. Cannabis, the giving plant that it is, offers us so much and gives us many options for intake, rather than simply sparking up and inhaling. Among the alternative methods are vaporizing and the world of culinary delight. Hemp seeds are an excellent source of nutrition, but offer little in the way of THC or CBD. And what about those patients who simply cannot inhale smoke? How does one get maximum medical effects by eating this plant? We do not recommend eating raw buds. The human digestive system cannot handle all that plant fiber and will not extract the THC well enough to have the desired effect. But there are a variety of methods one can use to prepare this perfumed plant into palatable pastries.
It used to be the case that creating edibles was a D0-It-Yourself affair for those who had both the motivation and an abundance of medication. But these days chefs and pharmacists everywhere are turning their hands to the world of “Medibles.” In certain states with legalized medical marijuana, one can walk into a dispensary and bypass the bud jars and gaze upon the tasty edible medications. On certain beaches in Maui, patients can find bakers distributing goodies too. In fact, culinary cannabis has exploded into an extravagant field offering more choices than a banquet. Many of us are familiar with brownies and cookies, or anything like that which uses oil or butter to cook with. But the selection has grown even further. There are tinctures and teas, colas, sprays, lozenges and lollipops. If variety is the spice of life, then this is one spicy meatball.
It is important to take precautions when medicating with edible cannabis. When ingested, its effects can be different than when inhaled. It often takes longer to feel the effects, generally between 30 minutes and two hours. And the effects will last longer in your body. While operating heavy machinery always requires caution, it is even more imperative that caution is taken after the consumption of edibles. Also, it can be easier to over-medicate when ingesting marijuana through edibles. When THC hits the liver, it is metabolized into 11-Hydroxy-THC which has shown to have stronger psychoactive properties than the original THC compound. Be careful when purchasing products and ensure their potency is labelled. Some manufacturers, like Cheeba Chews, label their products well and patients know what to expect. Furthermore, they subject their product to rigorous lab testing to ensure safety and quality standards. Unfortunately, some companies use packaging labels that do not include all of the pertinent information and patients are often unsure of what they are getting. A good rule of thumb for those new to edibles is the wait and see approach. Let’s say you’ve just gotten home with a batch of fresh brownies. Don’t just pop it in and wait for the ride. Cut the brownie into 2-4 pieces and spread out ingestion over the course of several hours. This will help significantly reduce the likelihood of over medication.
There is a lot to be said for edibles. We hope you enjoy them safely, and check back with us for more on this subject.
The Shafer Report
In 1970, the Comprehensive Substance Abuse Prevention and Control Act rewrote the guidelines on drugs, sorting them into five groups, Schedule 1-5. Additionally, it engendered the Commission on Marijuana and Substance Abuse which targeted to review the results of Marijuana on People in america. The outcomes of the study were launched in 1972 and therefore are better termed as “The Shafer Report.” This research was presented before Congress on March 22 1972, titled “Marijuana, An Indication of Misunderstanding.” It was a landmark presentation because its goal ended up being to locate an honest knowledge of the results of Cannabis on people, without depending around the testimonies from the previous half a century of propaganda that were recognized as truth. The report is divided into five parts: The Issue of Marijuana, It’s Use and Effects, Its Social Impact, The Social Response, and Social Policy.
During the period of the 2 years the Commission had carried out clinical studies across the nation, in metropolitan areas for example Boston, Philadelphia, Bay Area and much more in it’s efforts to obtain the truth behind Marijuana. They carried out numerous interviews, had 1000’s of surveys as well as examined many different types of Marijuana to attain their goal. One conclusion attracted, “The emotions and condition of awareness referred to through the intoxicated appear to become much more interesting compared to objective condition noted by an observer.” In plain words, the researchers carrying out the experiments had much less fun performing them compared to people taking part in stated experiments. I believe we are able to all agree with that time.
Much more entered the research than asking people about use and watching intoxication. They have to know why people switched to Marijuana to begin with. What social factors brought people into Mary Jane’s hands? For individuals individuals who did not know, after Cannabis was criminalized and banned in 1937 its use dropped considerably. It wasn’t before the 1960’s it all of a sudden reemerged like a cultural pressure and it is use was common. It had been then broadly adopted by America’s youth included in the counterculture. As the Baby Seniors were busy protesting and becoming high, the relaxation of the nation was very scared of pot’s rebirth and just what it intended for society. The thing is, “the drug was assumed to become a “narcotic,” to render the consumer psychologically dependent, to impress violent crime, and also to cause madness.” You will find lots who still believe that it is a gateway drug which permitting its ongoing use would undermine the nation. Therefore the males behind the report requested important questions like, “Who uses marijuana?” and “When does use start?” “How lengthy do people still smoke marijuana?” “So why do they begin,Inch and “So why do they stop?” They recognized it needed to be divided for an individual level. For too lengthy Marijuana had only been talked about in simplification. Which kind of discussion goes nowhere.
Certain conclusions were arrived at, one being that almost all cannabis customers are functional, upstanding people of society. Many customers can start smoking in an effort to defy authority (ex: teens rebelling against their parents, university students protesting against illegal laws and regulations). But, they aren’t anarchic delinquents trying to bring lower things as they are. They’re only crooks since the laws and regulations in position make sure they are so. To be able to rank the possibility of marijuana, they needed to compare it with other legal and illegal drugs. Apart from not leading to physical dependency, they observed, “A careful search from the literature and testimony from the nation’s health authorities hasn’t revealed just one human fatality within the u . s . states shown to have resulted exclusively in the ingestion of marijuana. Experiments using the drug in apes shown the dose needed for overdose dying was enormous as well as for all logical reasons impossible by humans smoking marijuana. This really is in marked contrast with other substances in keeping use, most particularly alcohol and barbiturate sleep aids.Inch So, it will not kill you, it will not cause you to kill others. It does not produce the physical dependency that’s observed in cocaine and alcohol which in turn causes individuals to commit crimes to ensure that they might obtain more drugs.
After causeing this to be report, the Nixon administration quickly overlooked it. Nixon told Shafer, “What we are likely to do will make your commission just look bad as hell.” And consequently, today we’re still facing exactly the same problems that impeded progress within the Seventies. Today we’ve a lot more studies to attract upon that demonstrate the numerous benefits of legalizing medicinal marijuana but we’re in an impasse. This report is going to be 40 years old in a couple of several weeks. The Fight against Drugs turns forty this season. Yet a vocal most of people still think that Cannabis is much more destructive than alcohol and tobacco, which it warrants to stay illegal. Take the time to check out the data for alcohol-related and tobacco-related deaths and you choose which is much more harmful to society.
A Period to provide Thanks
Hot poultry, stuffing, cranberry sauce, cornbread, pumpkin cake, and lots of other goodies may dominate your Thanksgiving this season, it is a superb day for reflection too. Marijuana.internet want to take this excellent chance to provide because of individuals who’ve assisted make our industry possible through the years. Even though it is impossible to incorporate them all-in-one tribute article, we are able to discuss a couple of.
For just one, we have to begin with giving because of George Washington for a lot of reasons. Clearly, he might be the only biggest reason we are able to fly our very own unique beautiful flag and revel in our independence. George Washington, who couldn’t have recognized it at that time, provided us probably the most credible arguments for marijuana and hemp use still used today. He would be a known grower and would be a major proponent of hemp’s many uses. While George Washington is really a tough act to follow along with, you will find many more accountable for enhancing the marijuana industry progress. Although he didn’t start and win a revolution against an excellent powered tyrant (really he indeed might have), Keith Stroup did begin a worldwide and influential organization. Could any marijuana advocates make a world without NORML? Stroup produced NORML decades ago and lots of feel his direct efforts have brought to decriminalization laws and regulations. The next one we wish to give because of is really a leading heroine within the medicinal marijuana industry. Steph Sherer produced the audience People in america for Safe Access. Her organization makes tremendous strides in supplying information and protecting the privileges of patients. People in america for Safe Access is symbolic of medicinal marijuana and it has acquired worldwide prestige. Let’s also give because of Dennis Peron. Without his efforts it’s possible we would haven’t seen the passage from the famous Proposition 215. Peron offered the U . s . States within the Vietnam war as well as for decades saw the advantages of marijuana use. Also, he needed to watch his partner, Jonathan West, are afflicted by complications associated with Helps. Peron has mentioned that West frequently found relief with cannabis use.
While marijuana reform may apparently be moving in a snail’s pace for many, it’s still vital that you give because of a rustic where might have a wide open dialogue. This isn’t for everyone as fluff for the federal government, but to really reflect. Although a lot of patients still suffer, many happen to be capable of finding relief through condition run medicinal marijuana programs. We have to be grateful we have the various tools to produce change, awareness and then progress in this region. We ought to give because of ballot initiatives and also to the political figures who really do are a symbol of patient relief as well as for civil privileges.
Thanksgiving is really a unique holiday. It excludes no religion, no race. It encourages family and buddies to obtain together, to understand and also to love one another. Let’s be grateful it’s not the nineteen thirties, but don’t forget forget we have a lengthy road in front of us. Eventually people like Dennis Peron, or Steph Sherer will no more be around us, however their extreme efforts will not be overlooked. We only hope that lots of more is going to be inspired by their efforts and become willing to get the torch to help keep fighting the great fight. Because the hot poultry lulls you to definitely sleep, you are able to relax, reflect, and provide thank you for a lot.
Medical Marijuana Industry News | April/May, 2011
News From April/May
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder suggested that the Justice Department will work with governors to reach a satisfactory resolution to the establishment of dispensaries that sell marijuana to patients in state-sponsored medical-marijuana programs. Dispensaries owners have long expressed concern that they will be raided or shut down by officials from the federal government even when they are in full compliance with state law.
* * *
?Advocates for medical marijuana filed a suit in a U.S. Circuit Court today to force the Obama administration to answer a petition that seeks to have the federal government recognize cannabis as a drug with acceptable medical uses. The suit asks the court to order the administration to answer the original request within 60 days. The suit is cosponsored by NORML.
If the coalition of pro-pot organizations is successful, marijuana would be taken out of the federal Schedule I category — the group of outlaw drugs with no legitimate uses, to which cocaine doesn’t even belong — and, presumably, made available as a medicine from coast-to-cost.
* * *
- 8 of 10 states that legalized medical marijuana saw a DECREASE in teen usage of marijuana.
- The US Government supplies marijuana to four seriously ill patients as part of the Compassionate Investigational New Drug program. The program was closed to new patients in 1991.
- Between 1997 and 2005 marijuana was NOT reported as a cause of death in the United States.
Source: Procon.org
* * *
Gov. Jack Markell has signed legislation making Delaware the 16th state to allow the use of medical marijuana. The legalization of marijuana will allow it to be used for the treatment of cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, post traumatic stress disorder and other devastating diseases. Three state-regulated non-profit dispensaries will be established in each county.
* * *
Conservative Idaho might not seem like the most fertile ground for a medical marijuana movement, but supporters have launched an initiative drive that could change the terms of the debate. The reason: 74 percent of Idahoans say they support allowing “terminally and seriously ill patients to use and purchase marijuana for medical purposes.” That was in this year’s Boise State University public policy survey, a result so overwhelmingly favorable that researchers initially thought it had to be wrong.
* * *
How can a drug that federal drug law says is criminal be considered medicine under state law? The article highlights the growing concern among operators of legal dispensaries. At any minute they can be raided and closed by federal agents.
* * *
Medical marijuana could become legal in Illinois. Some lawmakers are looking to make cannabis available for people seeking relief from symptoms of maladies that include multiple scoliosis, cancer and HIV/AIDS.