According to an article in the New York Times, chronic to severe pain is on the rise for males in their 20s in Colorado. What could be causing this, the high altitude or the dry air?
The truth is the desire to get high is causing this. Since Colorado legalized "medical" marijuana use the number of applications by this age group has grown by the thousands. What does this say about our society? Are we cultivating a group of young men who would rather get high than deal with life?
George Soros tells us we should legalize marijuana altogther for our pleasure. Its less harmful than tobacco and alcohol. Are we as a society that gullable? The damages caused by alcohol and tobacco is unfathomable and yet we are seriously considering adding another substance to the list.
Is our society heading towards a true Sci-fi/Thriller existence, where everyone is stonned while the puppetiers control our lives?
I seriously hope not.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
DOT Does Not Agree With New Medical-Marijuana Policy
With all the hype and speculation regarding the new Obama Administrations stance on Medical Marijuana and the memo sent down to the DOJ no one seems to have noticed this memo from the Department of Transportation.
In summation the Department of Transportation does not agree with the new directive and will continue to ensure that Medical Excuse Marijuana is not an excuse for pilots, school bus drivers, truck drivers, train engineers, subway operators, aircraft maintenance personnel, transit fire‐armed security personnel, ship captains, and pipeline emergency response personnel, among others to be high. If they fail a drug test, they will be terminated.
I applaud their judgment and am glad to know that at least the transportation department has enough snap to know that marijuana impairs judgment, slows reflexes and is illegal under Federal law.
In summation the Department of Transportation does not agree with the new directive and will continue to ensure that Medical Excuse Marijuana is not an excuse for pilots, school bus drivers, truck drivers, train engineers, subway operators, aircraft maintenance personnel, transit fire‐armed security personnel, ship captains, and pipeline emergency response personnel, among others to be high. If they fail a drug test, they will be terminated.
I applaud their judgment and am glad to know that at least the transportation department has enough snap to know that marijuana impairs judgment, slows reflexes and is illegal under Federal law.
Friday, October 23, 2009
CBS News Asks the Tough Question ... Will Insurance Cover Medical Marijuana?
Well at least someone is looking at this question. CBS news brings up a great point that even if medical marijuana is legalized, how will insurance companies cover it.
Here are some of the reasons why they cannot or will not cover it.
Here are some of the reasons why they cannot or will not cover it.
- It is not FDA approved
- A Physician can not prescribe medical marijuana, they only can recommend it
- It is untested medically
- Marijuana has multiple compounds so how does the FDA begin to test it
- There is no way to regulate the dosages
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Medical Marijuana and Cartel Profits
The drug Cartels must be applauding the new guidelines listed for prosecution of Medical Marijuana users and dispensaries. With 14 states out there who have in one form or another legalized Medical Marijuana, who do you think is supplying them? Has our new administration just made way for the Cartels to become even more powerful. Granted it does specifically state in the memo that "The prosecution of significant traffickers of illegal drugs, including marijuana, and the disruption of illegal drug manufacturing and trafficking networks continues to be a core priority in the Department’s efforts against narcotics and dangerous drugs, and the Department’s investigative and prosecutorial resources should be directed towards these objectives. " but it also is being interpreted that users and dispensaries will not be touched as long as they comply with State laws.
Colorado alone has had dispensaries popping up everywhere. According to the Denver Post "Demand for medical marijuana in Colorado has grown so fast in the past few months that it has outstripped the production of legal "grow" operations and is now probably being supplied by international drug cartels, say some local sheriffs and agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration". This is very disturbing in deed, we have now fuzzied the line further regarding the legality of marijuana and how to prosecute the criminals involved, such as the Cartels.
An article in the Examiner explains that a “bi-national task force” on “rethinking the US-Mexican Border” has completed a study, which in part, names the USA’s respect for the Second Amendment as a prime culprit for the violence on the US-Mexican border.
So with our growing demand for marijuana and the relaxation of policy regarding prosecuting individuals and dispensaries have we just opened pandora's box?
Colorado alone has had dispensaries popping up everywhere. According to the Denver Post "Demand for medical marijuana in Colorado has grown so fast in the past few months that it has outstripped the production of legal "grow" operations and is now probably being supplied by international drug cartels, say some local sheriffs and agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration". This is very disturbing in deed, we have now fuzzied the line further regarding the legality of marijuana and how to prosecute the criminals involved, such as the Cartels.
An article in the Examiner explains that a “bi-national task force” on “rethinking the US-Mexican Border” has completed a study, which in part, names the USA’s respect for the Second Amendment as a prime culprit for the violence on the US-Mexican border.
So with our growing demand for marijuana and the relaxation of policy regarding prosecuting individuals and dispensaries have we just opened pandora's box?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Man Arrested in Atlanta - Guess What For?
I don't normally like posting pictures of people arrested, even though they can be found on many websites, until they are convicted. But this picture is worth a 1,000 words. I believe the eyes say it all, but here is the link to the full article.
Not to be inappropriate, but I think he has had the munchies a few times as well.
Oh, and all you legalization proponents out here, he was arrested with 360 lbs. of marijuana, not just a few ounces or a few joints. I know, he was probably out on a delivery to patients or a near by dispensary...oh wait Georgia doesn't have legalized marijuana under the guise of medicine.
Oh, and all you legalization proponents out here, he was arrested with 360 lbs. of marijuana, not just a few ounces or a few joints. I know, he was probably out on a delivery to patients or a near by dispensary...oh wait Georgia doesn't have legalized marijuana under the guise of medicine.
ONDCP Clarifies Mission
With all the hoopla over the not so new policies on Medical Marijuana Prosecution the ONDCP released a statement on their website clarifying the clarity of the memo released on Monday.
“Enforcing the law against those who unlawfully market and sell marijuana for profit will continue to be an enforcement priority for the U.S. government.” Since Marijuana, medical or otherwise, is still illegal under Federal Law, the Department of Justice will continue to prosecute those individuals and dispensaries that are not in compliance with their state laws.
Enough said!
“Enforcing the law against those who unlawfully market and sell marijuana for profit will continue to be an enforcement priority for the U.S. government.” Since Marijuana, medical or otherwise, is still illegal under Federal Law, the Department of Justice will continue to prosecute those individuals and dispensaries that are not in compliance with their state laws.
Enough said!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Car Wrecks Significant Health Risk of Marijuana Use
In a recent study Hall and Degenhardt said "the most common acute effects of cannabis intake are anxiety, panic reactions, and psychotic symptoms, primarily in individuals using the substance for the first time." "Some experimental studies have shown diminished driving performance in response to emergency situations," Hall and Degenhardt said, findings also corroborated in epidemiological studies. http://www.medpagetoday.com/Psychiatry/Addictions/16456
For example, one study of car crash victims found that they were more likely to have tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of marijuana, in their blood compared with age- and sex-matched controls.
Another study determined that motorists killed in wrecks were 2.5 times as likely to have been responsible for the accident when they had THC in their blood.
THC also increases heart rate in a dose-dependent way, perhaps increasing risks for people with preexisting cardiovascular disease. Two studies have indicated that individuals with a history of myocardial infarction were at increased risk for second events or death when they used marijuana, the authors said.
Cognitive effects while high are, of course, well recognized, but their persistence is less clear, Hall and Degenhardt said. Some studies say cognitive impairment remains in chronic heavy users even after they quit, but others indicate that recovery of function is the rule.
Cannabis use has been linked by numerous studies with adverse psychosocial effects including poor school performance and increased likelihood of unemployment, the authors said. But causality has never been proven, they pointed out.
"Whether cannabis use is a contributory cause of poor school performance, is a consequence of poor educational attainment, or poor educational attainment is the result of common factors is unclear," they wrote.
Similar uncertainty clouds the research on whether marijuana fosters use of other, arguably more dangerous, drugs such as cocaine and heroin, the researchers said. People who use marijuana are more likely to use other illicit drugs as well, but causality has been difficult to prove.
Marijuana use has also been linked to increased risk of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and, less consistently, depression.
Hall and Degenhardt appeared to be persuaded that the association with schizophrenia is real, citing a series of longitudinal studies that found frequency of marijuana use was correlated with later diagnosis of schizophrenia.
This study once again shows that Cannabis/Marijuana is not a harmless herb!
For example, one study of car crash victims found that they were more likely to have tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive component of marijuana, in their blood compared with age- and sex-matched controls.
Another study determined that motorists killed in wrecks were 2.5 times as likely to have been responsible for the accident when they had THC in their blood.
THC also increases heart rate in a dose-dependent way, perhaps increasing risks for people with preexisting cardiovascular disease. Two studies have indicated that individuals with a history of myocardial infarction were at increased risk for second events or death when they used marijuana, the authors said.
Cognitive effects while high are, of course, well recognized, but their persistence is less clear, Hall and Degenhardt said. Some studies say cognitive impairment remains in chronic heavy users even after they quit, but others indicate that recovery of function is the rule.
Cannabis use has been linked by numerous studies with adverse psychosocial effects including poor school performance and increased likelihood of unemployment, the authors said. But causality has never been proven, they pointed out.
"Whether cannabis use is a contributory cause of poor school performance, is a consequence of poor educational attainment, or poor educational attainment is the result of common factors is unclear," they wrote.
Similar uncertainty clouds the research on whether marijuana fosters use of other, arguably more dangerous, drugs such as cocaine and heroin, the researchers said. People who use marijuana are more likely to use other illicit drugs as well, but causality has been difficult to prove.
Marijuana use has also been linked to increased risk of psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and, less consistently, depression.
Hall and Degenhardt appeared to be persuaded that the association with schizophrenia is real, citing a series of longitudinal studies that found frequency of marijuana use was correlated with later diagnosis of schizophrenia.
This study once again shows that Cannabis/Marijuana is not a harmless herb!
New Guidelines to Federal Prosecutors regarding Medical Marijuana
UPDATE:
Here is the link for the full Memo: http://blogs.usdoj.gov/blog/archives/192
It starts off with this simple paragraph: The Department of Justice is committed to the enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act in all States. Congress has determined that marijuana is a dangerous drug, and the illegal distribution and sale of marijuana is a serious crime and provides a significant source of revenue to large-scale criminal enterprises, gangs, and cartels.
Fortunately nothing has changed. Marijuana is deemed a dangerous substance and illegal disribution is a prosecutable crime.
*********************************************************
Ever since President Obama has taken office there has been the question as to what he would do about his promise to stop the prosecution of Medical Marijuana users and dispensaries.
Now the "New Guidelines" A three-page memo spelling out the policy is expected to be sent today to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration.
Per the AP wire article the directive is still to prosecute those who break these laws. Nothing has really changed, if you are violating a State and Federal Law regarding Medical Marijuana you will be prosectuted.
The guidelines, to be issued by the Justice Department, do make it clear that agents will go after people whose marijuana distribution goes beyond what is permitted under state law or use medical marijuana as a cover for other crimes, the officials said.
The officials also said, the government will still prosecute those who use medical marijuana as a cover for other illegal activity. The memo particularly warns that some suspects may hide old-fashioned drug dealing or other crimes behind a medical marijuana business.The memo urges prosecutors to pursue marijuana cases which involve violence, the illegal use of firearms, selling pot to minors, money laundering or involvement in other crimes.
And while the policy memo describes a change in priorities away from prosecuting medical marijuana cases, it does not rule out the possibility that the federal government could still prosecute someone whose activities are allowed under state law.
The memo, officials said, is designed to give a sense of prosecutorial priorities to U.S. attorneys in the states that allow medical marijuana.
So what has changed? Nothing really. If you do something illegal, whether it is for medical reasons or not, you will and should be prosecuted.
Here is the link for the full Memo: http://blogs.usdoj.gov/blog/archives/192
It starts off with this simple paragraph: The Department of Justice is committed to the enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act in all States. Congress has determined that marijuana is a dangerous drug, and the illegal distribution and sale of marijuana is a serious crime and provides a significant source of revenue to large-scale criminal enterprises, gangs, and cartels.
Fortunately nothing has changed. Marijuana is deemed a dangerous substance and illegal disribution is a prosecutable crime.
*********************************************************
Ever since President Obama has taken office there has been the question as to what he would do about his promise to stop the prosecution of Medical Marijuana users and dispensaries.
Now the "New Guidelines" A three-page memo spelling out the policy is expected to be sent today to federal prosecutors in the 14 states, and also to top officials at the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration.
Per the AP wire article the directive is still to prosecute those who break these laws. Nothing has really changed, if you are violating a State and Federal Law regarding Medical Marijuana you will be prosectuted.
The guidelines, to be issued by the Justice Department, do make it clear that agents will go after people whose marijuana distribution goes beyond what is permitted under state law or use medical marijuana as a cover for other crimes, the officials said.
The officials also said, the government will still prosecute those who use medical marijuana as a cover for other illegal activity. The memo particularly warns that some suspects may hide old-fashioned drug dealing or other crimes behind a medical marijuana business.The memo urges prosecutors to pursue marijuana cases which involve violence, the illegal use of firearms, selling pot to minors, money laundering or involvement in other crimes.
And while the policy memo describes a change in priorities away from prosecuting medical marijuana cases, it does not rule out the possibility that the federal government could still prosecute someone whose activities are allowed under state law.
The memo, officials said, is designed to give a sense of prosecutorial priorities to U.S. attorneys in the states that allow medical marijuana.
So what has changed? Nothing really. If you do something illegal, whether it is for medical reasons or not, you will and should be prosecuted.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Some California Cities Banning Medical Marijuana Providers
"I just don't want to be a regional magnet," said San Bernardino City Councilman Chas Kelley, noting that nearby cities had prohibitions on the books before San Bernardino followed their lead last month.
Although California passed Proposition 215 in 1996, in San Bernardino County, the response to medical marijuana has generally been to just say "no" - or at least "not yet." Officials in several local cities have adopted bans or moratoriums aimed at keeping cannabis providers out of some towns.
A California Police Chiefs Association report on medicinal marijuana argues that federal law trumps Proposition 215 and that dispensaries, which should be deemed illegal, are likely targets for criminals looking to score pot or cash.
"Marijuana dispensaries are commonly large money-making enterprises who will sell marijuana to most anyone who produces a physician's written recommendation for its medical use," the report reads. "These recommendations can be had by paying unscrupulous physicians a fee and claiming to have most any malady, even headaches." See the story on such a physician at http://www.dfaf.org/content/its-good-be-california-cough-cough
Kelley, the San Bernardino councilman, referred to the report in late September when he won his colleagues' approval to ban dispensaries from the city. He also echoed the concern that cannabis can be prescribed for trivial problems and that without a ban, San Bernardino could become a place where the sight of people "puffing away on weed" becomes a new obstacle to business development.
Redlands and Yucaipa have already banned dispensaries, and Rialto is moving in that direction.
Although California passed Proposition 215 in 1996, in San Bernardino County, the response to medical marijuana has generally been to just say "no" - or at least "not yet." Officials in several local cities have adopted bans or moratoriums aimed at keeping cannabis providers out of some towns.
A California Police Chiefs Association report on medicinal marijuana argues that federal law trumps Proposition 215 and that dispensaries, which should be deemed illegal, are likely targets for criminals looking to score pot or cash.
"Marijuana dispensaries are commonly large money-making enterprises who will sell marijuana to most anyone who produces a physician's written recommendation for its medical use," the report reads. "These recommendations can be had by paying unscrupulous physicians a fee and claiming to have most any malady, even headaches." See the story on such a physician at http://www.dfaf.org/content/its-good-be-california-cough-cough
Kelley, the San Bernardino councilman, referred to the report in late September when he won his colleagues' approval to ban dispensaries from the city. He also echoed the concern that cannabis can be prescribed for trivial problems and that without a ban, San Bernardino could become a place where the sight of people "puffing away on weed" becomes a new obstacle to business development.
Redlands and Yucaipa have already banned dispensaries, and Rialto is moving in that direction.
PayPal Makes Right Business Decision Regarding CaNORML
PayPal, the well-known internet payment company has told California NORML that it will no longer accept payments to their “type of business” because they accept listing payments from cannabis-recommending physicians.
After years of offering free listings to physicians and collectives at their website CaNORML began charging a yearly listing fee to cover their costs last year.
PayPal froze CaNORML’s account in June, saying that by accepting listing fees from collectives, they were violating PayPal’s Acceptable Use policy, which clearly states, “you may not use PayPal in the purchase or sale of narcotics.” Although narcotics were not being sold over the CaNORML site, they did accept listing fees from collectives that dispense medical marijuana, which is legal under California state law, it is definitely illegal under federal law. This practice was stopped, however they did continue to accept payments online from doctors, attorneys, and members and this is why PayPal has stopped CaNORML from utilizing their payment site.
Although CaNORML argued that under a ruling upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court (Conant v. Walters, 2003), physicians have the first amendment right to discuss and recommend medical marijuana for their patients, although they may not distribute it or help patients in finding it. PayPal notified them that, “We are not arguing the legality of this issue; we are simply stating that we have made the business decision to not be involved with this type of business.”
PayPal should be applauded for standing up and making the right business decision.
Send letters of support to:: PayPal, 2211 N 1st St, San Jose 95131 (408) 376-7400
Below is a copy of letter that CaNORML says was sent to them by PayPal (Please note this was posted on NORML’s web site so we can not guarantee the accuracy of the letter).
Hello,
We appreciate the fact that you chose PayPal to send and receive payments for your transactions. Under the Acceptable Use Policy, you may not use PayPal in the purchase or sale of narcotics, steroids, certain controlled substances, products that present a risk to consumer safety or drug paraphernalia. PayPal makes such decisions after reviewing laws, regulations and other actions by governmental agencies, other available evidence, and marketing content related to the product.
The complete Acceptable Use Policy can be found at the following URL:
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/ua/use/index_frame-outside
To learn more about the Acceptable Use Policy, please refer to our Help Center page here: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/helpweb?cmd=_help
We are hereby notifying you that, after a recent review of your account activity, it has been determined that you are in violation of PayPal’s Acceptable Use Policy regarding your sales at http://www.canorml.org/prop/collectivetips.html.
PayPal cannot be used to accept fees for listing information related to marijuana dispensaries, delivery services and cannabis physicians.
After years of offering free listings to physicians and collectives at their website CaNORML began charging a yearly listing fee to cover their costs last year.
PayPal froze CaNORML’s account in June, saying that by accepting listing fees from collectives, they were violating PayPal’s Acceptable Use policy, which clearly states, “you may not use PayPal in the purchase or sale of narcotics.” Although narcotics were not being sold over the CaNORML site, they did accept listing fees from collectives that dispense medical marijuana, which is legal under California state law, it is definitely illegal under federal law. This practice was stopped, however they did continue to accept payments online from doctors, attorneys, and members and this is why PayPal has stopped CaNORML from utilizing their payment site.
Although CaNORML argued that under a ruling upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court (Conant v. Walters, 2003), physicians have the first amendment right to discuss and recommend medical marijuana for their patients, although they may not distribute it or help patients in finding it. PayPal notified them that, “We are not arguing the legality of this issue; we are simply stating that we have made the business decision to not be involved with this type of business.”
PayPal should be applauded for standing up and making the right business decision.
Send letters of support to:: PayPal, 2211 N 1st St, San Jose 95131 (408) 376-7400
Below is a copy of letter that CaNORML says was sent to them by PayPal (Please note this was posted on NORML’s web site so we can not guarantee the accuracy of the letter).
Hello,
We appreciate the fact that you chose PayPal to send and receive payments for your transactions. Under the Acceptable Use Policy, you may not use PayPal in the purchase or sale of narcotics, steroids, certain controlled substances, products that present a risk to consumer safety or drug paraphernalia. PayPal makes such decisions after reviewing laws, regulations and other actions by governmental agencies, other available evidence, and marketing content related to the product.
The complete Acceptable Use Policy can be found at the following URL:
http://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=p/gen/ua/use/index_frame-outside
To learn more about the Acceptable Use Policy, please refer to our Help Center page here: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/helpweb?cmd=_help
We are hereby notifying you that, after a recent review of your account activity, it has been determined that you are in violation of PayPal’s Acceptable Use Policy regarding your sales at http://www.canorml.org/prop/collectivetips.html.
PayPal cannot be used to accept fees for listing information related to marijuana dispensaries, delivery services and cannabis physicians.
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