Cannabis News Students for Sensible Drug Policy
  NORML's Weekly News Bulletin -- February 16, 2006
Posted by CN Staff on February 16, 2006 at 14:27:05 PT
Weekly Press Release 
Source: NORML 

NORML Massachusetts: Decrim Bill Advances

February 16, 2006 - Boston, MA, USA

Boston, MA: Senate legislation that would remove criminal penalties for the possession of less than one ounce of marijuana was approved by the Joint Mental Health and Substances Abuse Committee this week by a 6-1 vote.

If passed into law, Senate Bill 1151 would decrease penalties for the minor possession of marijuana to a civil offense punishable by a maximum fine of $250. Currently, state law treats simple possession as a criminal offense punishable by up to six months in jail and a $500 fine.

Twelve states and numerous municipalities have enacted similar versions of marijuana decriminalization.

The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to hear testimony on House Bill 862, the companion bill to SB 1151, in March.

In 2004, voters in three Massachusetts Senate and eight House districts overwhelmingly backed several non-binding "public policy questions" depenalizing the possession of marijuana for personal use, and legalizing the medical use of cannabis for patients who possess a doctor's authorization.

For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director, at (202) 483-5500 or visit: http://www.masscann.org/

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6820


Marijuana Possession Arrests Fuel Drug War, Study Says

February 16, 2006 - Washington, DC, USA

Washington, DC: Marijuana possession arrests have increased dramatically over the past decade and now cost taxpayers an estimated $4 billion annually, according to a study published in the February issue of the Harm Reduction Journal.

Researchers at the Sentencing Project in Washington, DC found that arrests for marijuana offenses, primarily simple possession, increased by 113 percent between 1990 and 2002, while drug arrests for non-marijuana offenses increased by only 10 percent. Authors further noted that this dramatic increase in annual marijuana arrests coincided with a significant decline in arrests for cocaine and heroin offenses. Today, nearly 50 percent of all drug arrests are for marijuana-related offenses; less than 30 percent of drug arrests are for cocaine and/or heroin.

Among those annually arrested on marijuana charges, only one in 18 receive a felony conviction, authors found, adding that the overwhelming majority of those arrested end up having their charges dismissed or adjudicated as a misdemeanor.

"Roughly $4 billion per year is being dedicated to minor [marijuana] offenses," authors conclude. "Our analysis indicates that the 'war on drugs' in the 1990s was, essentially, a war on marijuana."

For more information, please contact Allen St. Pierre, NORML Executive Director, or Paul Armentano, Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500.

Full text of the study, "The war on marijuana: The transformation of the war on drugs in the 1990s," is available online at:

http://www.harmreductionjournal.com/content/3/1/6/abstract

A previous version of this report was released by the Sentencing Project in 2005.

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6817


Cannabinoid Offers Cardioprotection, Study Says

February 16, 2006 - Ramat-Gan, Israel

Ramat-Gan, Israel: The administration of delta-9-THC protects heart muscle cells from injury during hypoxia (a deficiency in the levels of oxygen in the blood), according to preclinical trial data published in the February issue of the journal Molecular and Cellular Boichemistry.

Researchers at the Bar-Ilan University in Israel investigated the effect of THC on cultured heart cells during hypoxia. "The present study confirm[s] the ability of THC to confer cardioprotection on hypoxia-exposed cardiac cells in culture," authors concluded. Investigators defined" cardioprotection" as "delaying the onset of irreversible cell injury."

Authors also noted that THC appears to be non-toxic to heart cells.

"This research demonstrates that THC has beneficial effects on cardiac cells and supports the consideration of marijuana for specific medical uses," investigators concluded.

Previous research indicates that cannabinoids may also protect brain cells against alcohol-induced brain damage, stroke, and acute head trauma.

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the study," Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol protects cardiac cells from hypoxia via CB2 receptor activation and nitric oxide production," is available in the February issue of Molecular and Cellular Boichemistry.

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6818


Cannabinoids Enhance Analgesic Effects Of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, Study Says

February 16, 2006 - Ankara, Turkey

Ankara, Turkey: Cannabinoids, when administered in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), produce a synergistic analgesic effect, according to preclinical data published in the February issue of the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia.

A research team at the Trakya University in Turkey investigated the analgesic interaction between cannabinoids and NSAIDS in mice. "Analysis showed additive interactions between [cannabinoids] and [NSAIDS] when they were co-administered systematically in an inflammatory visceral pain model," investigators concluded. "The combination of cannabinoids and NSAIDS may have utility in the pharmacotherapy of pain."

Currently, a research team at the San Francisco General Hospital in California is evaluating the effectiveness of inhaled cannabis when used as an adjunctive therapy in combination with opioids to treat persistent cancer pain. The findings of that clinical trial are expected to be published later this year.

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the Turkish study, "The additive antinociceptive interaction between WIN 55,212-2, a cannabinoid agonist, and Ketorolac," appears in the journal Anesthesia & Analgesia.

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=6819

Source: NORML Foundation (DC)
Published: February 16, 2006
Copyright: 2006 NORML
Contact: norml@norml.org
Website: http://www.norml.org/

CannabisNews NORML Archives
http://cannabisnews.com/news/list/NORML.shtml


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Comment #142 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 23:31:20 PT
Dang it.
HerbDoc...you're gonna make me cry.

You know we love you...dearly.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #141 posted by herbdoc215 on February 18, 2006 at 21:14:45 PT
Hope, There have been nights
that yall "game hens" was about all that kept me from falling so far into my pain, pity, anger, despair cycle that I don't think would have left me much humanity without the warmth and kindness you all have shown me...I really can't convey to you the impact that you, my compatriots have given me. Viva le freedom, Viva la Game-hens! Give me an army of "game hens" and I could change the world! Happily clucked to bliss:) In Peace, Steve Tuck

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #140 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 19:59:21 PT
Herbdoc215
"... mother hen'ing".

Say what?

You've been clucked over a bit yourself, boy...ahh, but I guess that's how you know.

:0)

These here are Game hens...watch it!

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #139 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 19:55:00 PT
Headaches
Certain antibiotics cause me to have very, very, very severe headaches. You're not taking any regularly, are you? They can be the hidden cause of some strange side effects, hideously severe headaches among them.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #138 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 19:51:52 PT
My mother and my daughter and granddaughter
all had been trying to get me to see a chiropracter for the last several years. I'm so thankful I finally took their advice. I just wish I'd done it sooner.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #137 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 19:49:31 PT
Whig
I wish you would. It's a small price to pay and a small inconvience for the huge benefit you can reap.

Putting it off just means putting up with the pain longer if he or she can help you and they very well could be able to help you.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #136 posted by whig on February 18, 2006 at 19:43:48 PT
Hope
There's a chiro around the corner that my wife went to for awhile. She said it helped her too, but I never made an appt. Maybe I should look into it.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #135 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 19:26:15 PT
Whig
I have bad headaches, too. Almost constantly. I didn't have anything like a tumor or weak blood vessel, or anything. Several people recommended that I see a chiropracter. I pooh poohed it. Chiropracters are for your back...ok...but headaches?

Well...I can tell you they definitely can help. It seems like a miracle. I should have gone sooner. My headaches probably go back to an old whiplash and the headaches started about two years after that...but adjustments help unbelievably! I wake up with these headaches and sometimes can't sleep because of them and the adjustments were like a miracle. I used to eat advil and tylenol, although they sometimes didn't seem to help at all. It worried me. I finally had to see one for another problem and he brought me out of the headache woods.

Now I probably save enough from not buying all that tylenol and advil to pay for the chiropracter. I haven't been back since before Christmas, but I'm going back Monday because the headaches have come back. If I see him regularly I don't have them. I'll be getting adjustments off and on for the rest of my life probably...but at least it's not the hell of those headaches.

The first visits are the most expensive at around two hundred dollars, maybe...xrays and stuff...but after that it's like twelve to twenty something for an adjustment which at first might be two or three times a week but after you stay adjusted for awhile it lasts much longer eventually.

I still am subject to migraine attacks and sinus headaches...but that other headache, my chiropracter is like a lion tamer or exorcist of some kind. I won't be doubting the power of a chiropracter ever again. Think about checking it out. It's worth a try.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #134 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 18:52:18 PT
comment 117
"unwanted heat". That was my second biggest fear, Herbdoc.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #133 posted by Toker00 on February 18, 2006 at 18:49:22 PT
Alright, whig.
Good, you're safe. Sorry about the H-thing. I sure hope you're right about it going away eventually. You are not crazy. You are saner than your brain can handle right now. Just rest and...well we can't tell you what to do that you don't already know about. Just take care, I guess.

Wage peace on war. END CANNABIS PROHBITION NOW!



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #132 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 18:48:18 PT
Oh my gosh!
Finally I can take a deep breath. I'm so glad you are ok, Whig!

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #131 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 18:48:04 PT
whig
One of my closest friends during my young and teenage years left PA and went to Berkeley. My first knowledge of the counter culture were letters from her from school. From LSD to the Black Panthers and everything else that was going on her letters were fascinating to me. She is a lawyer in Harrisburg now.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #130 posted by whig on February 18, 2006 at 18:42:40 PT
Everyone
Too many people to thank, for everything. I've been going through a rough patch the last few days. I'm fine and you shouldn't worry about me too much.

My wife and I are going up to visit Berkeley in a few weeks. All economic and academic considerations aside, it's where I think we'd like to wind up, but there are other considerations so I don't know if that's what we're going to do.

I wish I could respond to everyone individually for all you've been saying and doing the past few days, but I'd be at this for hours I think. I love you all.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #129 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 18:40:45 PT
whig
I haven't checked my e-mail but I will real soon. Headaches and toothaches are really terrible. No matter what it makes everything we try to do become very hard. Headaches can have so many different reason and you have to find out the cause and then it can be treated. You could have a chronic sinus infection and possibly not even know it.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #128 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 18:36:12 PT
SirEbram
I just loved the picture of you as a small child with that pretty blond hair. You looked so sweet what happened? LOL! I couldn't resist saying that.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #127 posted by whig on February 18, 2006 at 18:33:13 PT
FoM
I got your e-mail btw. Did you get my reply? Thanks so much for caring!

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #126 posted by whig on February 18, 2006 at 18:29:33 PT
Comment #17
I wasn't writing because something really bad had just happened to me. It's been something that's been going on a long time, and I was following the link in Comment #17 and then reading some other stuff about it, and the symptoms sound pretty familiar from this source:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000796.htm

I have lowered platelets to begin with because of my condition, and I think I probably caused myself a major trauma two years ago after I snorted H the one time I mentioned before. It really did bad things to me. I have had a headache ever since, and I was nauseous and vomiting constantly for awhile. I nearly killed myself at one point but I didn't die, and then I went to the hospital and explained about the headaches and they couldn't find anything, and they considered it psychosis because I was talking to God at that point. Which was actually the deceiver aspect, by the way.

Anyhow you might think I'm crazy too, but the headaches are and have been real, but I can at least lie on my back now and sometimes even fall asleep that way, but usually I cannot and that's how I used to sleep until this started. If I lie on my stomach or side it isn't as bad, but I still don't actually sleep until I'm really tired.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #125 posted by herbdoc215 on February 18, 2006 at 18:22:12 PT
all is well that ends well :) You know how family
can be when you live in a small town like c-news :)

We should all probably send FoM at least an private e-mail addy list of all the regular family here and updates on our brothers lock away in Gaul...just for such emergencies so we don't worry and get somebody busted mother hen'ing them...

I just had a stroll down memory-lane searching past posts...that was astounding how many words are contained in our combined posts here...like climbing a mountain this family FoM has held together here thru these tumultuous times and only looking back upon it do I see it for the mountain of truth we have all built here by just caring....the most powerful words ever written are shown by us baring our lives, hopes, and dreams to public scrutiny, wow...what a ride the last 5 years have been!

whig, Glad your ok...we need all the whig's we can get and "you ain't authorized to die" as my old sarg' used to say ****** End emergency test network...if this had been a real emergency you would have been instructed to proceed to your nearest cannabis center" :) Peace, Steve Tuck

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #124 posted by SirEbram on February 18, 2006 at 18:21:15 PT
Hey whig. Good to know you're still alive
I just downloaded and installed a program for tracking down other people using my blog... uh (lol) this would probably be better for you FoM... (seeing to how I don't actually have a blog/forum).

I knew about this site for years, but I never had a reason for using "xlogan". I just go their for the text adventure games.

Check it out FoM. It may be very useful to you. IT'S FREE!

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #123 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 18:17:48 PT
Whig
I had such bad headaches many years ago that I was prescribed a drug called Fioricet. It was a magical drug. It took away my headache but I became seriously dependent on the drug. I didn't know it was a barbituate type drug. Now all these years later I still don't get headaches but I put lavender oil on my temples and massage it in and it is a calming substance and it helps take away headaches for me.

http://www.nightcourses.com/articles/massage.html

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #122 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 18:11:45 PT
Whig
Boy is it good to see you.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #121 posted by BGreen on February 18, 2006 at 18:08:34 PT
I'm so glad you're OK, whig
We were really concerned about you.

The Reverend Bud Green

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #120 posted by whig on February 18, 2006 at 18:04:36 PT
I'm here
I'm okay. Really. I shouldn't have said anything, and especially not when I haven't been checking in here regularly. My wife and I went out to dinner, and I've felt much better since then.

I don't think it's something I need to see a doctor for right away. I've had MRI's and stuff, and the headache's been getting LESS intense over the past two years, it's just persistant, and I took myself off benzos last night so it got worse and I'm probably more anxious than usual. Also benzos are precisely what are generally prescribed if surgery is not warranted.

But the headache is real, and it gets worse when I lie down, and it keeps me from sleeping well, and it basically sucks.

I've read up and there isn't anything that anyone could do about it anyhow, unless it was critical and they needed to operate, it can even clear up over time.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #119 posted by museman on February 18, 2006 at 18:00:10 PT
oh _
just stopped rehearsing for the day, stepped in; Does Whig live with someone? For some reason I was under the impression he did.

herbdoc; I don't believe SirEbram has that kind of access.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #118 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 17:52:52 PT
herbdoc215
Please look and try. There is a Mrs. Whig. She has MS.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #117 posted by herbdoc215 on February 18, 2006 at 17:49:31 PT
FoM, there are a few tricks to use
but I'd be afraid we'd bring unwanted heat if we was wrong but that post sure worried the crap out if me and thats nothing to play with...I was looking and he said there was a Mrs. whig so I pray she is there to provide some assist? I'm going to back search some more of his post to see if any clue presents itself...hate to not try nothing? Peace. steve

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #116 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 17:43:28 PT
herbdoc215
I did figure out something. I found the ip and it is comcast but that's all I can figure out.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #115 posted by herbdoc215 on February 18, 2006 at 17:40:50 PT
An idea to check on whig
Did a quick search and found a post of whig commenting upon SirEbram new website and if SirEbram logs IP's then look just before this time on this date and can get his location in an emergancy but if not then FoM please just delete this as it was just a quick idea? Peace, Steve Tuck

Comment #55 posted by whig on February 13, 2006 at 00:33:02 PT SirEbram Sweet site!

[ Post Comment ] Comment #54 posted by SirEbram on February 13, 2006 at 00:25:02 PT Cannabis is an Herb, not a drug. Herbs are natural Good night (buenos naches)peace of mind and sweet dreams everybody!

* PLEASE VISIT MY (NOT ENTIRELY UNRELATED) WEBSITE

[ Post Comment ]

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #114 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 17:17:06 PT
Thanks Ekim
We turned it on. The Encore channels are free this weekend.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #113 posted by ekim on February 18, 2006 at 17:07:37 PT
manufacturing consent
norm chomski dir tv ch 375 now-----

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #112 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 16:08:04 PT
Thank You
I just really want to thank everyone for caring about Whig. Hopefully he will get the help he needs. The sad part is unless we hear from him we may never know.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #111 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 15:54:29 PT
BGreen
I knew exactly what you meant. I just checked my e-mail but no response so far.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #110 posted by BGreen on February 18, 2006 at 15:48:24 PT
I didn't mean to stop trying to help whig
My last post sounded like that, but if anybody figures out a way to help whig, please do.

The Reverend Bud Green

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #109 posted by runruffswife on February 18, 2006 at 15:48:08 PT
whig
Blessings and Love

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #108 posted by BGreen on February 18, 2006 at 15:46:14 PT
It's out of our hands now
We just have to wait and see, I guess.

I know I wouldn't stop to read the comments on CNews if I needed to go to the hospital, so we can't jump to conclusions.

Let's just try and spiritually lift whig up.

The Reverend Bud Green

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #107 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 15:25:04 PT
Oh My Now What
I just checked and the e-mail wasn't returned so it still is active probably. I hope someone that reads this thread might know Whig and have his phone number and call him.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #106 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 15:24:18 PT
intracerebral hemorrhage
surely if Whig can type that...he just went back and laid down after he let us know why he hadn't been commenting.

Dang. Maybe he will think about how we might react to that post and come back to the computer.

Whig!

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #105 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 15:14:42 PT
FoM...Thanks.
Surely Whig has been here long enough to know how we here would react to a post like that.

I'm with ya BGreen on that prayer business.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #104 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 15:08:37 PT
A Note
I found an e-mail contact and sent him a note.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #103 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 15:07:47 PT
I'm sure you're right, BGreen.
As a whole, for sure, I haven't seen much compassion for people like us coming from their direction.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #102 posted by Toker00 on February 18, 2006 at 15:06:06 PT
Whig you need help.
This IS serious.

http://www.brain-surgery.com/bsicintr.html



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #101 posted by BGreen on February 18, 2006 at 15:03:12 PT
Narc has no compassion, so we must help each other
whig, I'm praying for you because I don't know how else to help you.

Keep strong, my brother!

The Reverend Bud Green

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #100 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 15:02:37 PT
Hope
I don't think he uses dial up. I don't have a phone connection. I don't know how to reach him. I will try to find his e-mail address.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #99 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 15:00:48 PT
Please Whig...
Answer.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #98 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 14:59:40 PT
Maybe
he just went back to sleep or laid down.

If it looks like it might be necessary, we can trace that phone number through his service and we could call him. I hope he responds soon...or doesn't get mad if we go to that extent to make sure he doesn't need emergency help.

Some narc reading this probably has easy access to the number. I wish he'd have a little mercy and call him...just in case.If Whig is hurt and that narc doesn't help us find him...to HELP him...it ...well it would make me mad.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #97 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 14:55:10 PT
Whig
If you read this we love you and we are concerned. Your health and life are very important to us.

Thanks Hope.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #96 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 14:52:06 PT
Observer
I sent him an email. I'll look for a phone number in case he doesn't respond soon.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #95 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 14:51:34 PT
Hope
Thanks. He would be much quicker then I could possibly be since I just don't know how to do that.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #94 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 14:48:33 PT
Going lookin for him...
Observer, I mean.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #93 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 14:47:09 PT
Hope
Could you find observer and ask him to help with ip info?

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #92 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 14:43:50 PT
Hope
Oh boy I don't know how to do that but I'll try to figure out how to do it.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #91 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 14:43:37 PT
Whig!
Maybe he just went to the kitchen or bathroom.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #90 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 14:42:28 PT
If Whig doesn't answer soon
he can be traced with his ip address through whois to get him help.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #89 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 14:40:39 PT
Whig
Do you need help? I would call you if I knew your number.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #88 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 14:35:31 PT
Whig
Please talk to us.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #87 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 14:35:13 PT
The "I'm sorry" worried me, too.
But if Whig's incapacitated by headache pain he's probably feeling hideously dependent on someone to even bring him a glass of water.

Are you in danger, Whig?

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #86 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 14:32:57 PT
Whig?
Should you go to the emergency room?

You're alarming me...do we need to get you some help?

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #85 posted by BGreen on February 18, 2006 at 14:32:40 PT
Why are you sorry, whig?
That you said "sorry" really bothers and worries me.

Please don't hurt yourself or do anything that we'll all regret.

The Reverend Bud Green

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #84 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 14:25:58 PT
whig
What do you mean? That's serious.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #83 posted by whig on February 18, 2006 at 14:23:51 PT
Headache won't go away for two years
I think I have intracerebral hemorrhage.

Sorry.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #82 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 14:10:00 PT
Musicians
I can imagine if all the different styles of musicians here on CNews got together to jam it would be just like The Festival Express but without the train! LOL!

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #81 posted by runruffswife on February 18, 2006 at 14:07:28 PT:

hope #69
"People treated me differently everywhere. I hated it. It messed with my confidence."

Having been a fitness trainer for most of my adulthood I can say that this phenomenon happens on both ends of the "how I look" spectrum. People have treated me differently for looking in shape, especially women. I have seen women cashiers turn from being nice to the average maybe a little over-weight gal in front of me in line to being nasty to me just because. For the longest time I wondered what was wrong with me, why do other girls treat me so mean. I'm over it now. The bottom line is to just be healthy, be loving to ourselves and always strive for changing for the better.

I can tell you are a beautiful person no matter what your weight is.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #80 posted by BGreen on February 18, 2006 at 14:04:21 PT
When referring to the Reverend Bud Green
Hippy is almost always followed by the word Guitar.

Mrs. Green refers to me as her "hippy guitar player husband." LOL

One of my students calls me his "hippy guitar teacher." LOL

Thanks for that, museman!

I now wear the badge of "hippy" with even more honor.

The Reverend Bud Green

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #79 posted by global_warming on February 18, 2006 at 13:54:44 PT
end this war on users of drugs
there is no war on drug users,

if you are 'looking

for evil and death,

you can shave your head,



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #78 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 13:53:27 PT
museman
That was great. Thanks!

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #77 posted by museman on February 18, 2006 at 13:47:14 PT
For clarification purposes;
How to tell the difference between a ‘Hippy’, and a Junkie.

A hippy likes to smoke marijuana, listen to all kinds of music except certain extremes of metal, punk, and gangsta.

A junkie likes any kind of drug, and likes to listen to ‘In your face’ metal, punk, and gangsta.

A hippy is concerned about ecology, environment, peace, and things of a spiritual nature.

A junkie is concerned only with his ‘fix,’ and only remotely resembles normalcy when he (or she) is under the influence.

A hippy is a peacemaker.

A junkie is a cowardly backstabber.

A hippy attempts to be as honest as they can.

A junkie is a liar, a thief, and a vandal.

A hippy almost always used to have long hair, but length of hair does not determine hippiness.

A junkie likes to make people think that they are a hippy, and a lot of the worst characters amongst them, do have long hair.

A hippy is usually concerned, in some fashion, with the integrity and progress of their community.

A junkie is an American terrorist.

A hippy can be a contributing member of society.

A junkie does nothing but take, take, take.

***Just thought it needed to be cleared up. (not on CNews, but in general)***

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #76 posted by museman on February 18, 2006 at 13:43:10 PT
Hope
Well you are right of course, there are always a lot more facets to just about any situation- That's what makes this kind of discussion so special and cool-.

I would like to comment on the difference between 'pharmaceutical' speed, and ephidren based meth.

Diet pills were the source of a lot of the favorites back in '60's, '70's, and on into the '80's.

With names like; Christmas Tree, and Black Beauty, Pink Ladies. As a hypothyroid, I was really attracted to them. I worked many a graveyard shift assisted by just such things.

As a musician it was always a temptation, fingers just moved so much faster and easier.

I missed the entire original "California Jam" at Ontario in 1975, because I took two too many.

Until the 'crack' (not 'crack cocaine') came along in the late '70's - the first 'home-cooked' stuff, addiction wasn't really quite the same prolem as it is today with meth.

Fortunately for me, I value my sleep. Ultimately my first run in with that nasty stuff ended in a lack of it. Never again.

As I said I am hypothyroid, have been dealing with metabolic issues all my life, (and by-the-way THC is the single most helpful thing on the planet that saved my mind) and the slowness of mental processes that goes along with low levels of thyroid left me definitely 'at risk' where speed is concerned. So I understand what you are saying.

Because of the mistrust I had for many years of the American medical community (thanks to the USN)I chose to medicate myself, to treat myself, and those around me with natural solutions. I delivered my own children even- didn't want their young spirits to have to that cold experience as their first.

Unfortunately marijuana is not enough anymore to keep my thyroid workiing, so I have to rely on prescribed chemicals. I know of other things that would work, but alas they are even more illegal than pot.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #75 posted by global_warming on February 18, 2006 at 13:42:27 PT
do i know you better?
as long as i witness,

brutality,

i hope,

that uandi come closer, to bring 'Light

into this night'mare

this 'world,

that is 'our place



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #74 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 13:31:10 PT
surely, gw
after all this time...you know me better than that.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #73 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 13:29:37 PT
gw
"Who has told you, you are naked?"

Well I guess you are.

Now you're probably going to write a poem about the evil vain tupperware woman who just uses men to change her tires and carry her tupperware. That wouldn't be right...but that may be how it sounds.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #72 posted by global_warming on February 18, 2006 at 13:22:55 PT
who has told you
that 'you are naked?



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #71 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 13:17:55 PT
Besides
being overweight drags a person down, sometimes in more than one way.

It makes me self concious and I hate being self concious like that. I don't want to worry about how I look.

When I step out in public, I want to be confident that there isn't something about me that's going to embarrass me.

I'm so glad not to have had to be concerned about my slip showing so much since blue jeans became the norm.

That really was something you had to be careful about nearly all the time as a woman or girl at one time. Or worse...forgetting your slip and having to be careful where you stood so that the light wouldn't shine through your skirt.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #70 posted by global_warming on February 18, 2006 at 13:14:09 PT
'Women
you catch my 'eye

may 'we, walk a peace,

further into this eye

you have my hand,



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #69 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 13:05:14 PT
gw
"Do you believe,that your physical weight,

is a some important measure?

It has 'always been your 'mind,

your soul,

in front of this world,"

I've concluded that it is.

When I was heavy and went to pick up my Tupperware shipments at Red Ball they just threw the box on the dock in front of my open trunk. When I lost weight two or three men would stumble over themselves and each other to get it in the trunk for me and grin like they loved providing the service.

If I was overweight struggling with a flat on the side of the road...someone might stop after a lot of cars passed. When I was thin as soon as I stepped out of the car...there was Johnny on the spot...sometimes backing up to get there.

I was as good a person when I was fat. My mind and soul was just as beautiful when I was fatter as when I was thinner.

People treated me differently everywhere. I hated it. It messed with my confidence. So I decided that yes...it's vanity...but it must be important...at the least...helpful in dealing with the truths and minor hardships along life's journey...especially if, as a woman, you have a flat on that journey.

I know you'd be just as eager to help a fat woman as a shapely one, as would the other men on this board...but I'll tell you something...you guys are special and have a lot more character than so many men running up and down the highways of life. You guys are the exception and not the rule.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #68 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 13:04:33 PT
runruffswife
I agree with you. I was really stressed out during the 2004 presidential election and people were really uptight. I started getting serious chest pains. I bought a low impact piece of equipment called a Gazelle. I put on Neil Young and work out on it a number of times a week. It helps with my appetite and I feel better when I do. I don't use it in the summer though.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #67 posted by global_warming on February 18, 2006 at 13:01:58 PT
re63
are you sure?

obesity

is a disease,

but a clogged mind

is the same as a confused soul,



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #66 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 12:58:17 PT
Diet Pills
It would have been nice if they hadn't tightened up diet pills like they did. I knew to take a break from them and never took more then the one a day that was prescribed. I got a lot of cleaning done! I was like the tasmania devil or something! LOL!

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #65 posted by runruffswife on February 18, 2006 at 12:56:26 PT:

body weight
Speaking as a personal trainer I can confidently say that you will be a healthier person if you keep your body fat in a healthy zone. And it is also important to have flexible, functionally strong muscles.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #64 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 12:52:01 PT
"It's a real drag to always be hungry."
and at the same time being responsible for food shopping and preparing food and serving it. It seemed to me like I used to have to think about food all the time.

My husband and I were laughing yesterday about the coming cold spell. We used to have to run to the grocery store and be sure we were well stocked up to feed a house full of children if we got iced or snowed in for very long.

I was actually prescribed diet pills during my first pregnancy so that I wouldn't gain too much weight. He's ok. Thank goodness.

Diet Pill days. They were ok, I thought. A few people couldn't handle the access to all the diet pills well and everybody got punished. Deprive the hundred who benefitted from the use of the pills to protect the two who had to make asses of themselves. I'm thinking there should be a better way of dealing with that in this new day. Not that anyone would have the nerve to suggest it. But, because "Papa don't dance...and mama don't rock n roll", even if they knew a better way they wouldn't allow it to happen.

Dang. I loved how much more I could accomplish with such a little bit of help.

Can't they "help" people who have a problem with diet pills or any other drug, without guns, nightsticks, and jails.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #63 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 12:51:32 PT
global_warming
It's definitely her weight.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #62 posted by global_warming on February 18, 2006 at 12:49:52 PT
is it her weight?
or her place as witness,

for what she has 'seen

and never used her 'good hand,



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #61 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 12:46:18 PT
global_warming
You said: Do you believe, that your physical weight, is a some important measure?

Yes I do believe controlling one's own weight is important. I have a relative exactly my age with so many health problems from being overweight and it's very sad because she is miserable. I don't want to feel like she does.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #60 posted by global_warming on February 18, 2006 at 12:41:39 PT
58 and then some
Do you believe,that your physical weight,

is a some important measure?

It has 'always been your 'mind,

your soul,

in front of this world,

bare ass naked,

use your hand,

reach for 'freedom,

truth and justice,

for this time that you witness,

marks 'your spot,

on this 'infinite trip,

on that 'bus,

bring good fruits,

to the table of the Lord,



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #59 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 12:31:17 PT
Museman
That's horrible. I couldn't bear to live in that dense a neighborhood. I don't do well in them at all.

I don't like to travel, perhaps because of having traveled so much as a child, and I just like to stay home as much as possible. But now I clearly understand why you would want to be traveling.

Clearly.

I'm so sorry. You seem to be the kind of man that would be so out of place and miserable in that.

Take a laptop with you on the bus.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #58 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 12:30:43 PT
global_warming
I'm sorry. I don't understand what you mean.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #57 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 12:26:59 PT
Hope
I've battle gaining weight my whole life. I started using diet pills when I was 10. Everyone got diet pills for any reason practically back then. Meth never helped my appetite like a good amphetamine diet pill did way back in those days. I haven't needed any help for years thank goodness. I could never stand to be overweight. I was obsessed with trying to stay thin. It's a real drag to always be hungry.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #56 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 12:20:58 PT
Museman
"Speed is the drug of choice for truck-drivers, loggers, and law enforcement."

Don't forget overweight people, or people who tend to be, because of their runaway appetite...and it talks like an addiction (that rhymes with "walk like an Egyptian"). I can tell you that from personal experience.

Runaway appetite is a really heavy monkey...heck...it can be a dang gorilla on one's back and it can ride you relentlessly. People often need help with that.

Oh yes, and I'm sure the undiagnosed narcoleptic forced to sleep his life away might choose speed as his drug of choice.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #55 posted by global_warming on February 18, 2006 at 12:20:43 PT
its funny how the mare
cannot digest her oats,

from those seeds she has given birth,

thanks MM,

that was so...to the point,

runruff may be in some un-holy prison,

while the rest of 'us,

are rocking on cell block 'b



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #54 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 12:12:34 PT
Oh museman
I would be so upset if I thought that was going on anywhere near where I live. It would totally freak me out. Speed is a drug of war. There was always good speed when my husband was in Nam.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #53 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 12:10:38 PT
Lol!
That's good, Museman.

It's funny. Partly, it's so funny because it's just...well it's unfathomable (I hate that word) and so ludicrous that it has to be funny...but even as I laugh, it hurts, too. This is actually happening.

We are the new incarnation of the people who came before us who committed themselves to cutting down the size of tyranny here and there throughout history. I think of myself just like I would if I were one of the early resisters of child labor laws or slavery.

Enough people have died and suffered under this injustice of the WoD and ESPECIALLY the injustice of banning a lovely plant like Cannabis. It is a lovely plant...in so many ways.

Cannabis would make beautiful houseplants or annuals in the garden. We can grow poisonous and deadly plants all over this country...right out in the front yard in front of God and everybody, we can plant oleander next to the sidewalk as far as I know...why not cannabis sativa? We don't get arrested if we can't kill out the poison ivy or sumac or oak on our property. That stuff can hurt people. We don't get arrested for growing castor beans...why Cannabis?

Our grandmothers were trusted to grow poppies...even that kind! Opium used to be in the Kaopectate I gave my children when they had severe diarrhea. You had to sign to buy Kaopectate then, just like you have to register with the government now to use Drixoral.

Coca bush tea can alleviate many digestive ailments beautifully and nonpoisonously. The Pepto Bismol company won't let me have a coco bush in my flowerbed to pluck a few leaves from to make a cup of tea to sip instead of taking some of the pink stuff. That's all I can figure. It's absolutely the only thing that makes any sense.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #52 posted by museman on February 18, 2006 at 12:08:18 PT
Meth
The nazis invented it. The American Intelligence agencies got the recipes from the nazis, and handed them out in the '80s.

Speed is the drug of choice for truck-drivers, loggers, and law enforcement. Right next to beer. Meth users make great informants, turncoats, thieves, and spies. Local law enforcement keeps a lot of them free and unhendered so they can infiltrate and narc on pot users.

Cops for the most part are lazy and stupid, and everybody knows that pot smokers are peaceful minded, while meth users are violent and unpredictable. So they bust the pot smokers, and pretty much let the meth users roam free. That's why we have an 'epidemic.'

For the past two days I have had to suffer through the monthly meth-fest that goes on in my neighborhood, has been going on for about 5 years non-stop. Loud metal music blaring from midnite to noon. Everybody has to make sure their night lights are on, or things start disappearing. Felons from miles around come to re-up their monthly stash. The local dealers have taken to riding bicycles, because their cars are all (with the exception of the big-money backers, and the on-the-take cops that visit) gas hogs and polluters. Most don't have drivers licenses.

I would like to force my local cops to actually 'serve and protect the public' but I know better. Half of the cops in this county are on the take, and I wouldn't trust any of them. I try to exercise my legal rights as a citizen, next thing you know I'm framed for something, or worse, buried in a hole in the woods.

I'm going to act though, because I am tired of living with it. I'm just going to have to find a responsible authority somewhere in this state.

I like to say 'Live and let live.' But meth users make me take another look.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #51 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 12:03:39 PT
Runruffswife
The world has become such a dark place. Everything is bad and seems hopeless and when we become caught up in how the government particularly this administration wants us to be we quit trying to change anything because we start functioning in a state of depression. Happy people scare the powers that be. It's an emotion most of them don't understand. When people smile and are truly happy it rubs off on others and those little candles are what will change the world. That's my belief.

My American Dream was to find a little land way out in the country where I could feel safe from the whole rat race of life. Somewhere where I could take a little time and smell the flowers. To take a little time and see the grass grow. Take a little time and look up to Heaven. Oh how He loves us so...

Those words are from a LaVerne Tripp song and I always loved them.

http://www.lavernetripp.com/

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #50 posted by global_warming on February 18, 2006 at 11:54:53 PT
thanks fommbc
you don't put the fire out where it's most intense,

and what is that 'fire?



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #49 posted by global_warming on February 18, 2006 at 11:49:29 PT
you can have those onions,
but don't , i repeat, Do Not Mess With My Sweet Potatos,

five foot with 10 inches,

200 hundrend solid pounds,



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #48 posted by museman on February 18, 2006 at 11:41:59 PT
Hope
You forgot about how the new Eccumental Society For The Salvation of The Republic, has rewritten the Ten Commandments to include; "Thow shalt not eat oninons."

When asked to comment the ministers said, "Truly it is a mortal sin! All onion eaters will go down to HEll!"

Meanwhile the CIA is rushing to retool the old drug cartels in South America, so that they can get a handle on illegal onion transport.

A spokesman for the DEA said this; "We eradicated most of the coca forests, so now they are growing onions!"

President Bush had this to say;

"We don't give in to terrorists!" Off camera he was heard complainig to his cabinet; "But I like onions!" He recently put a bill before the Congress for a 3 Trillion dollar budget to fight the spread of onions, and onion abuse in America.

A spokesman for 'People for Common Sense' said, "I just don't see how they can do it, I mean onions grow everywhere, they're easy to grow, anyone can do it. This is just another example of government outstretching it's powers, and it's duty. This 'war won't last long."



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #47 posted by runruffswife on February 18, 2006 at 11:36:50 PT:

prayers of forgiveness
FOM, Yes, we pray these prayers everyday. I did this morning when I woke up. Yes, Runruff will be okay. He brought a copy of the prayers with him to Devens, and I mailed him another copy this last week just in case he couldn't bring his travelling copies in.

It's all about forgiving and clearing our path. Whenever I read the prayer for all nations and all humanity I bring to mind and heart this battle of cannabis prohibition, and the current administration, and I pray for the healing of all this, for forgiveness so we can all live in the truth. That's what I do to do my part everyday. I feel that bathing our planet in good energy, healing, uplifting, compassionate warrior energy will lift the veil of darkness.

http://www.howardwills.org/prayers.html

Love Love Love, runruff's wife

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #46 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 11:33:46 PT
mai_bong_city
What happens if the url is too long it will cut it. It's best to paste it right in the comment and then it will work.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #45 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 11:32:19 PT
That's soooo right, Runruffswife!
"We will achieve our dreams, because We're just like that. Huh Hope!"

gw...keep dreamin with us, Big Man. (I don't know if you are a big guy or not. It might be one of those digital illusions that Max was talking about yesterday.)

And yes, Max...I accept that you are vulnerable. Heck...Arnold is vulnerable... but I would still feel better going some place strange, knowing that a compassionate, kind, and brave soul like you would be there.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #44 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 11:30:32 PT
Mai_bong_city, Thanks For The Link
Why the Feds Care More About Pot Than Meth

***

By Russell Shaw

February 18, 2006

So why do we have a White House filled with old-school, disciplinarian law-and-order types who still seem to regard marijuana as the top drug problem in the U.S.- and who haven't paid much attention to a far more lethal scourge until recently?

That lethal scouge, of course, is meth. Turn on the evening news.

That fire in the lower-middle-class subdivision, that beaten wife, that abused child -even the pockmarked-faced drifter who hit you up for money the last time you went downtown- lives and property lost to meth.

Yet this remains an Administration with a track record of appointing enforcement types-Ashcroft, Barry McCaffrey, and current White House drug czar John Walters- all who have seemed to be more concerned about busting medical marijuana patients and their caregivers than really cracking down on meth by properly funding local law enforcement efforts and cracking down at the border.

The key reason why so much of our federal law enforcement apparatus remains focused on pot use and distribution rather than meth taking and peddling has a lot to do with the background of those who are in charge of our law enforcement and drug policies.

Most of these men are roughly in my age bracket, which is in there mid to late 50s.

I remember the future McCaffreys, Walters', and Ashcrofts from college.

While many of us were protesting the war, these were the straight patriots, the ROTC jocks, the ones who called us "freaks" and "hippies."

While some of us talked and wrote warmly about Woodstock and war protests- while decrying "materialism", these were the crew-cut business majors who were in suits when they weren't in ROTC gear.

While some of us sat in our dorm rooms and giggled ourselves silly to Grateful Dead, Hot Tuna, Tull and the Beatles White album as the wafts of hot smoke drifted out into the hallways, these were the ones who were either off at potless frat parties or were self-styled dorm hall "narcs." Narcs who,with the school administration's blessing, diligently kept lists of those residents whose rooms gave off the most pronounced pot odor, or who would appear to be stoned as they walked around campus.

This was not paranoia, for I saw it close up. I went to a private, conservative Southern college where the future Ashcrofts and Walters' and McCaffreys dominated the social and political life of a school headed at the time by a Naval Vice Admiral who called Vietnam War protestors "homosexuals."

One year, after two years as #2 editor of my college paper, I was in line to become editor but I was not selected. I asked the Dean why and he said he couldn't tell me- it was confidential. To this day I remain convinced it was because of the fact that at the time, I was known around the dorms as one who preferred wacky tabacky. There was this very crew-cut residence manager who liked to walk the halls on weekend evenings, and who had to know. He always looked at me and a few of my friends suspiciously. I am convinced he didn't keep his suspicions to himself, but shared it with said Dean.

That was more than 30 years ago. But what do you suppose happened to these crew-cut, military-friendly types on campus who related the fun we were having to subversive, depraved criminality?

They grew up to be the type of people with a lifelong disdain for marijuana and the people who smoke it. They hear about glaucoma patients who find relief in the herb, and they hear excuses to partake or even just to grow the stuff. Sure, I know Bush got high, but these men (and we are mostly talking about men) rarely or never did. Not only did they never, but they have hated those who did. Thirty or forty years on, that hate has not dissipated.

Meth, meanwhile, is a newer scourge. Where once today's taciturn anti-pot law enforcement czars found themselves close to and diametrically opposed to, pot smokers, meth came out of a class of society the now senior federal law enforcement officials have had little exposure to. The Mexican or biker gang that supplied the local meth cook in the small Oregon town - and the malnourished children of the meth addicts supplied by this meth cook - well, that doesn't seem to register with those top federal officials who live on pretty estates in Loudoun or Spotsylvania Counties.

As evidence, I point to John Walters' Congressional testimony yesterday.

In his remarks before the U.S. House's government and reform subcommittee on justice and drug policy, Gen. Walters appeared to make the point that the meth problem we are facing as a nation is largely limited to the Western U.S.- and is a local one at that.

Despite objections even from conservative Republicans, press accounts reported that Walters left the impression he considers "that meth is a localized problem and should be dealt with accordingly."

"By hosing water everywhere, you don't put the fire out where it's most intense," he told the committee.

Conservative Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., gave an answer that put the old school retiredGerneral, in his place.

"Instead of catching it (the meth epidemic) at the beginning, we're now paying the price, an ongoing price,as a government and as a people," he said.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/russell-shaw/why-the-feds-care-more-ab_b_15943.html

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #43 posted by mai_bong_city on February 18, 2006 at 11:25:24 PT
hm, link failed
sorry! it's on huffingtonpost tho....

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #42 posted by mai_bong_city on February 18, 2006 at 11:23:04 PT
just something i read
this is worth reading i think....not anything any of us don't already know, though.

keepin' the faith and the flame -

mbc

have a lovely weekend!

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #41 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 11:20:27 PT
Runruffswife, FoM
There is an independent streak that goes through Runruff, and all the rest of us here, that has to push back against tyranny of any kind. We want him to be free. He should never have been arrested in the first place.

Only a tyrant would jail and persecute a man for planting and using a plant.

The original American dream was to escape and resist tyranny. There are still a lot of Americans that hold fast to that dream of freedom from tyranny.

The most universally accepted "American Dream" today, is about material possessions...but that's not right. It's freedom from tyranny that is and always should be the real American Dream.

FoM, your chance to dance and have a loudly approving audience is cool. I love it and thanks for sharing a moment with us that makes me smile.

Got the Fisher stoked up. It's cold outside...but not in here. I'm listening to Italian Opera. The baby I have today, loves it. I tested her preferences. Opera! So far it hasn't triggered a jig of any sort on my part.

:0)

I'm going to put on some fifties music after awhile and teach the gal to bop.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #40 posted by global_warming on February 18, 2006 at 11:03:19 PT
re 34
That was awesome writing hope, sounds like you have caught a glimpse of the world 'we 'live in,..amen

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #39 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 10:54:58 PT
Runruffswife
Runruff left us with this prayer. He said this is a prayer you both pray. He was telling us in essence that he would be ok. We need to be ok for him and everyone. Freedom doesn't mean no bars but freedom is inside us. Freedom is knowing that your spirit isn't for sale. Everytime something bad happens to a good person it turns around in a big way for them. That will happen with Runruff I believe.

http://www.howardwills.org/prayers.html

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #38 posted by runruffswife on February 18, 2006 at 10:40:28 PT:

dream
FOM - that is so great, dancing and howling! What a happy scene. Runruff is the most courageous and bold person I know. He boldly fights for anti-prohibition because he knows the truth. Stepping up and speaking out and standing ground. He's just like that. His dream is freedom for the people to utilize God's gift the cannabis plant. Even though the Federal Government is holding him he is still free and the dream is still alive. Keep the dream alive HOPE. With Our intentions and right actions We will achieve our dreams, because We're just like that. Huh Hope!

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #37 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 10:07:00 PT
American Dream
Something funny. I turned on my cd player and was listening to This Old House and my husband and I started dancing and smiling and all of a sudden my big old mean Rott started howling along. It made us laugh. I still have an American Dream.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #36 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 10:02:46 PT
Hope
I agree with you. It's pathetic to me. What is the American Dream anymore?

You said: Penalizing people, for lots of things, is big, big business in this country. What a wicked trap for the multitudes they have created.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #35 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 09:58:18 PT
That port thing.
You reckon it tops the greed list for now. Sure looks like it. Well...maybe the poison and bomb makers top the greed list.

If a person couldn't imagine that the government had anything to do with the twin towers disaster...would they be able to imagine that they didn't have anything to do with placing six huge ports of import and export into the hands and oversight and control of the very nation that bred the one most universally blamed for that September disaster?

Wouldn't believe it? I couldn't either.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #34 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 09:53:52 PT
"activism does more then any politician can"
Bold, brave men and women. Where are they?

Oh...I forgot... they're in jail, or laying low, because they boldly and rebelliously thought that they have a right to use a natural plant of the earth...even if the Kings and Queens of the earth tell them they can't. It's hard to find those bold and brave men and women who like to think for themselves...with more and more of them being locked in cages because of the the King's and Queen's horitcultural and percieved contraband edicts, rules and orders.

Everyone can take a few orders and follow just rules. Killing, assault, rape, theft, embezzlement ...which is theft, are all crimes. Growing and using a plant is not a crime in the natural order of things.

When laws like the prohibition of cannabis are made...they are bound to be broken because they are truly unjust, beyond the pale, and ability for many independent minded people to accept and endure.

For example. If the government says you can no longer grow your onions because it hurts the onion farmer...or you can no longer consume onions at all because your breath is too offensive and they don't like the way you grin when you chomp down on a green onion and besides that...lots of people don't like onions and they have no medicinal value and the economy can be boosted and jobs can be created by testing, pursuing, fining, and incarceration of the onion user, do you reckon everyone will rush to bow before the new imperial edict against onions? Some would, no doubt. They are not independent minded. Other's wouldn't care, because they don't use onions anyway and have no desire to. Others, who resent and fear the freedom of their fellow man would just be glad those stinky onion eaters were locked up. Others would be developing their own strain of onions to grow in the corner of the basement behind a screen.

I'll bet you lots of folks would start wondering whether any government should have the right to tell you whether or not you can use or grow onions.

Penalizing people, for lots of things, is big, big business in this country. What a wicked trap for the multitudes they have created. Those that feed off what that trap catches are apparently content to continue and even increase the multitudes caught in the profitable traps they've created.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #33 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 09:51:02 PT
mayan
I saw that on the news yesterday about selling the ports to countries that are the ones that most americans fear. Why would they do such a thing? Is there really a true america anymore?

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #32 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 08:15:24 PT
Hope
I also don't know much about democrats either. To me those in power in politics are suppose to represent the will of the people but they don't. Politics are controlled by special interests. Activists are controlled by their heart. Activism ended Vietnam not a politician. Activism will end the war against the Iraqi people not politicians. We the voices of the people will make them listen no matter what area we are concerned about I believe.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #31 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 07:57:48 PT
Hope
I don't know much about Ron Paul because he is a republican and that turns me off and I tune out. See how easy it is to write off someone in politics for me and many people. I find corruption to be so strong in politics that I don't believe anyone in politics. I was bummed out when I thought Cindy Sheehan was going to run in some race and then she said no that she can do more as an activist. I believe activism does more then any politician can.

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Comment #30 posted by Hope on February 18, 2006 at 07:41:54 PT
Ron Paul
I'd love to see what kind of President Ron Paul would make. I'm not expecting that. It seems a President more concerned with real ethics and right and wrong...and not how big the bottom dollar is, is less than popular in a nation of dedicated and greedy money changers.

He's so cool with the Constitution. He's sensible and smart and not easily moved against the Constitution. Ron Paul, of all men living under the pledge to honor the Constitution, may be the only one that's really serious about that pledge he took to uphold and protect our Constitution. It sure looks that way.

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Comment #29 posted by Graehstone on February 18, 2006 at 07:27:48 PT
ASA News for 2/17
I am a member of Americans for Safe Access and this is just one of the recent "Updates" I get on a rugular basis. Just thought I'd share.

ASA's Summary of Medical Marijuana Media * ASA IN THE NEWS: Much to Say on Dispensaries * ILLINOIS: New Bill Advances Out of Committee * NEW MEXICO: Political Stunt Kills Cannabis Bill * HAWAII: A Few Brave Doctors Lead the Way * CANADA: Activists Fight for Access * CALIFORNIA: Dispensary Debates * CALIFORNIA: ID Cards _____________________________________________ ASA IN THE NEWS: Much to Say on Dispensaries

When issues about medical marijuana are being debated, ASA makes sure the perspective of patients is being heard. This week, the issue has been dispensaries in California, and ASA activists and experts have been speaking out.

No end, win in sight in dispute over marijuana dispensaries by Herbert A. Sample, Sacramento Bee In the past few months, this city enacted an ordinance regulating medical marijuana shops, federal authorities raided one of the dispensaries and advocates protested the crackdown by openly giving free marijuana to ill patients in a city plaza. Steph Sherer, executive director of Americans for Safe Access, contended that when the federal government confronts one of the more than 100 dispensaries in the state, it suffers a public relations defeat. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3101

Palm Desert acts to pull license of pot shop by K. Kaufmann, Desert Sun The Palm Desert City Council has taken a first step toward revoking the business license for CannaHelp, the medical marijuana dispensary on El Paseo. Medical marijuana advocates are planning a protest for Feb. 23, said Ryan Michaels, Riverside County coordinator for Americans for Safe Access. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3100

San Marcos Bans Businesses from Distributing Medical Marijuana Associated Press San Marcos became the first city in San Diego County to ban businesses from distributing medical marijuana. Statewide, 49 cities have prevented new medical marijuana dispensaries from opening, 15 cities have banned them and 24 cities have established regulations for dispensaries, according to the medical marijuana advocacy group Americans for Safe Access. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3098 _____________________________________________ ILLINOIS: New Bill Advances Out of Committee

The state legislature has considered similar measures in previous sessions, but the movement to allow the legal use of medical cannabis in Illinois is gaining momentum. The state Senate has passed a bill through committee.

Illinois May Permit Use Of Medical Marijuana CBS 2 News Chicago Illinois could soon be the 12th state to permit the use of medical marijuana. On Tuesday, a bill that would protect patients from arrest for using it passed a Senate committee by a 6-5 vote. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3105 _____________________________________________ NEW MEXICO: Political Stunt Kills Cannabis Bill

Despite the support of the governor and a bipartisan coalition of legislators � not to mention the state citizenry � the New Mexico legislature failed to pass a medical cannabis bill this session. It was feared dead in committee, but passed at the 11th hour, only to be scuttled by a Republican stalling tactic that blocked many bills.

Republican slowdown in New Mexico legislature kills medical marijuana bill by Steve Terrell, Free New Mexican In the last hours of its 2006 regular session, both chambers of the New Mexico Legislature bogged down to a tar-pit pace. In the House on Thursday, some Republicans purposely engaged in a slowdown. Just like last year, the medical-marijuana bill -- passed by the House Judiciary Committee in a meeting that took place shortly before 4 a.m. -- died on the House floor awaiting a floor hearing. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3102

House Committee Shelves Medical Marijuana Bill by Heather Clark, Associated Press A House panel has shelved a Senate-passed bill that would have allowed patients suffering from illnesses like cancer or AIDS to use marijuana prescribed by a doctor to alleviate their pain. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3110 _____________________________________________ HAWAII: A Few Brave Doctors Lead the Way

The hesitancy of many physicians to write recommendations for patients who they believe could be helped has been well documented in California. Threats of sanction have led many doctors to refer their patients to those specialists who are willing to write them. While it creates an unnecessary barrier for patients, the benefit is the same as with all specialists: they understand the issues and medication.

Medical marijuana: Still an outlaw? by Clynton Namuo, Pacific Business News Five years after Hawaii adopted its medical marijuana law, 3,000 people have registered to use the drug but only a handful of doctors -- most of them on the Big Island -- are certifying their need to be treated with it. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3107 _____________________________________________ CANADA: Activists Fight for Access

The reputation Canada enjoys as sensible on the subject of medical cannabis is well founded, but government restrictions and rigidity on who can grow it continues to create conflict with patients and activists.

Pot meeting uncovers no new ground by Don Descoteau, Victoria News Victoria's two compassion clubs are operating illegally, that much appears clear. Apparently, the chances of either the Vancouver Island Compassion Society or the Cannabis Buyers Club receiving a legal exemption to provide medical marijuana for their members is slim at this point. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3113 _____________________________________________ CALIFORNIA: Dispensary Debates

The questions California cities and counties are facing on the regulation of medical cannabis dispensaries is the subject of continuing debate. Patients and dispensary operators around the state are stepping forward to educate their representatives about the issues.

Put right issues on the front burner by Phil Strickland, The Californian Let's get this straight. It's OK to annoy, at the least, nonsmokers with secondhand smoke on publicly owned property, but how dare you take a puff of pot in the privacy of your home to ease the pain of dying? http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3109

City council extends ban on medical marijuana by Abby Souza, Turlock Journal Turlock's ban on medical marijuana just got a little longer. At its Jan. 10 meeting, Turlock City Council approved an emergency 45-day moratorium on creating medical marijuana dispensaries within city limits. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3103

City may delay decision to pull marijuana dispensary's license by K. Kaufmann, Desert Sun (CA) A public hearing to revoke the business license of a medical marijuana dispensary in Palm Desert slated for Thursday may be put on hold. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3112

Judge 's decision closes medical marijuana dispensary in Atascadero by Nick Wilson, San Luis Obispo Tribune (CA) A Superior Court judge ruled today against the Atascadero business that has been dispensing medical marijuana the past two weeks under a temporary restraining order. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3111

San Marcos bans medical marijuana dispensaries by David Sterrett, North County Times The City Council voted Tuesday to ban businesses from distributing medical marijuana in San Marcos, becoming the first city in the county to introduce such a law. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3099 _____________________________________________ CALIFORNIA: ID Cards

The state legislature mandated the local issuance of ID cards to medical cannabis patients more than a year ago, but the programs are only just getting started and not all counties are meeting their obligations. The cards are intended to protect patients from arrest, which also allows law enforcement resources to be better used.

Supes OK Medical Marijuana IDs by Luke Roney, Hollister Free Lance While the Board of Supervisors complied with state law Tuesday and approved a county program to issue medical marijuana identification cards to afflicted locals, supervisors made it clear that they did not want marijuana to be dispensed within the county. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3104

ID Cards Nixed in Tuolumne by Joshua Wolfson, Union-Democrat A program to provide identification cards to Tuolumne County medical marijuana patients failed to win county approval yesterday. http://safeaccessnow.org/article.php?id=3106

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Comment #28 posted by FoM on February 18, 2006 at 07:26:02 PT
Slow Slow News Day
I just can't find any news to post. Hopefully we will get some news soon. With all the trouble we are reading about online we just have to sit tight until it is over I think. Then when it's finally over we will be able to get back to trying hard to change the laws but until then news is a victim of this mess I believe.

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Comment #27 posted by mayan on February 18, 2006 at 05:58:29 PT
More Unrelated...
While the news is slow...

The PATRIOT Act wasn't created to defend against foreign terrorists because the real terrorists are in the U.S. government. The PATRIOT Act and the fledgling police state are meant to stifle dissent at home. If our government was serious about terrorism(preventing it) they wouldn't be selling some of our ports to a UAE company. The UAE was an operational and financial base for some of the alleged 9/11 hijackers...

White House Defends Sale of Port Operations to Arab Firm: http://articles.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20060216144409990001&cid=2194

More on Iran...

Petrodollars and Nuclear Weapons Proliferation: Understanding the Planned Assault on Iran: http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=KEE20060210&articleId=1936

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Comment #26 posted by mayan on February 18, 2006 at 05:22:00 PT
OverwhelmSam
I can't believe that article made it into the Moscow Times! I'm not surpised about Russia. They are ratcheting up their police state just like the governments of China,Britain,Italy and others who know that things will get very,very ugly once we go into Iran. Things will never be the same.

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Comment #25 posted by mayan on February 18, 2006 at 05:08:54 PT
Misc.
More missing evidence...

Fort Valley officer fired after drugs missing from evidence room: http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/13902075.htm

On a totally unrelated note, here is a very important, enlightening speech by a member of Congress that I urge everyone to read. Ron Paul is giving America a wake-up call. Will we hear it?

The End of Dollar Hegemony - by Ron Paul: http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul303.html

Here is some very good news...

California Enacts Resolution Critical of PATRIOT Act: http://www.commondreams.org/news2006/0217-07.htm

Bill of Rights Defense Committee: http://www.bordc.org/

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Comment #24 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 18, 2006 at 04:12:34 PT
Mayan, Does this Sound Familiar?
This article about Russia increasing their drug penalties on NORML's site states they are doing it to keep the police happy.

"That year the government -- responding in part to pressure from the Justice Ministry, which was fighting prison overpopulation -- raised the minimum punishable doses of illegal drugs, essentially ensuring that users who had no intent to sell would not be arrested. The police were incensed, arguing that some dealers took to carrying amounts just below the punishable level -- but still sufficient to satisfy between one and nine users. In other words, the police complained, they were being prevented from arresting users and small-time dealers and forced to focus on real drug dealers, whom they didn't want to touch with a 10-foot pole.

The more-liberal policy lasted less than two years. The minimum punishable dose has been lowered again -- in most cases, by more than 50 percent. The dose is not quite as low as pre-2004 levels, but still low enough to put even casual users at risk. The police must be happy. Prisons should be bracing for an influx of inmates."



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Comment #23 posted by mayan on February 17, 2006 at 18:11:36 PT
Disillusioned LEO's
From the article FoM linked to in comment #13...

Facing their own budget restrictions, law enforcement agencies in north-central Washington estimate they find perhaps half of the pot being grown illegally.

"We get half if we're lucky and good," Wagg said.

Wiley estimated law enforcement agencies statewide seize about one-third of what is being illegally grown.

Suuuure. They have no idea what percentage they seize! The only way they would know is if they found all of it. And what about indoor grows? Also, I'm sure Washington gets a fair amount of weed from Canada and Mexico so folks in Washington are probably not having much difficulty finding bud. They might be paying slightly more but that just creates more incentive to produce and distribute!

If these leo's think they are doing anything worthwhile or making any dent whatsoever in cannabis consumption they are seriously disillusioned. All they are doing is wasting their time and OUR MONEY!!!

THE ONLY WAY OUT...

Maxim Magazine Covers '9/11 Truth Movement': http://www.911blogger.com/2006/02/maxim-magazine-covers-911-truth.html

Sept. 11 theorizing professor speaks out: http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/166195/4/

An Open Letter to Eliot Spitzer -- re. Appearance of Cover-up re. 9/11 http://www.911citizenswatch.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=819



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Comment #22 posted by OverwhelmSam on February 17, 2006 at 17:53:34 PT
Gee!
I'm reading a lot of trend setting good news lately. Could marijuana be legal a few years from now? Or at least not even taken seriously anymore? Seems that way.

The only group that's still freaking out about marijuana is law enforcement. They hate to lose power.

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Comment #21 posted by siege on February 17, 2006 at 17:16:28 PT
supreme dilator of the airways
(L.A. Times, 1982; and Patrick Mayers). Marijuana is also the supreme dilator of the airways, the bronchi, opening them up to allow more oxygen into the blood. Marijuana is the best dilator of the little air tubes of the lungs, the bronchioles. Marijuana is the best overall bronchiole dilator. (Therapeutic Potential of Marijuana, and studies by Taskin at UCLA from 1969 through 1983, and the U.S. Costa Rican Studies, 1982).The original Costa rican Report was ordered suppressed by the Reagan Administration. A copy was snuck out to the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. The Reagan Administration and National Institute for Health ordered the Costa Rican Report rewritten three times, then finally rewrote the report themselves. The N.I.H. ordered only 300 copies to be printed. To read the suppressed original Costa Rican Report ordered by the U.S. Government would make you cry. The extrapolations of health potentials are extraordinary. Medical research indicates that light marijuana smoking would be the therapy of choice for mild emphysema to allow more fresh areas of the bronchi to open up for more oxygen transfer, and increase the quality of life greatly for tens of millions of sufferers of emphysema. (UCLA, 1974-1975). All research into the oxygen transfer effects caused by marijuana indicates that chest pains, shallowness of breath, headaches, etc., which are symptomatic of heavy smog exposure are usually alleviated entirely by the light smoking of marijuana throughout the day. (Marijuana Pulmonary Research, Taskin, UCLA, 1969-1983). Marijuana is the best natural expectorant to void lungs of smog.Marijuana completely alleviates most migraine headaches most of the time. It is estimated that, if legal, marijuana would replace more than fifty percent of Valium, Librium, Stellazine, etc. (Therapeutic Potential of Marijuana). Marijuana is the best way presently known to dry the mouth's saliva, in dentistry. If legal, it would replace the highly toxic Probanthine, manufactured by Searle & Co. Marijuana is also the best relaxant and back spasm medicine available short of morphine.Marijuana is the best herb known for reducing malignant and benign tumors. Until 1937 virtually all fistula, corns, and fibrosis were treated with poltices made from or treated with marijuana extracts. (The Therapeutic Potential of Marijuana and Marijuana Medical Papers, 1972).Sixty percent of epileptics can benefit from the use of marijuana. It is considered to be the best medication for many types od epilepsy, and for most victim's post seizure trauma.

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Comment #20 posted by FoM on February 17, 2006 at 14:58:01 PT
Press Release from The Drug Policy Alliance
Our Progress Will Carry Us Forward in New Mexico

***

Friday, February 17, 2006

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat. --Theodore Roosevelt

It with great sadness that I recount the legislative fate of our medical marijuana bill. But it is not with a feeling of total defeat. For our movement, there is much that we can be proud of and celebrate from the last 30 days. We have made progress that will not recede, that will carry us forward through the next year and through the 2007 legislative session.

As you remember, SB 258 was tabled last Saturday in the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee after an emotional hearing. Rep. Joseph Cervantes, D-Las Cruces, stated in that hearing that the bill had been sent to that committee to kill it.

The combined pressure and outrage of you, our members, and our legislative team, forced the Speaker's hand. On Wednesday afternoon, House Speaker Ben Lujan made a successful motion to withdraw SB 258 from the table in the House Agriculture and Water Resources Committee and place it into the House Judiciary Committee. We were heard in the Committee at 3:30 AM on Thursday morning, and passed the committee 7-3.

We regained hope for the bill, and waited all Thursday morning in hopes that the bill would be raised for a floor vote. Ultimately, Republicans filibustered most of the morning and the two Representatives who were committed to getting the bill heard on the floor never got the chance to make the motion. Once the Republicans finally ended the filibuster at 11:55 am, Speaker Lujan spoke for the last few minutes of the 2006 session, dashing any hope that the bill could be heard. You can read more about the last hours of the session here.

http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/39604.html

You can be proud that we were successful in getting Governor Richardson to issue the message that allowed the bill to be heard. We sailed through the Senate with a stunning final vote of 34-6. We successfully negotiated with the Speaker to get the bill out of the Agriculture Committee. And finally, we should celebrate the amazing advocates who gave generously of their energy, privacy, and sleep to make sure that we left no stone unturned in the effort to pass this legislation. They put tears in the eyes of our fiercest opponents with their heartfelt testimony. They took time from work to walk the halls of the Capitol. And when they heard, "No," they did not give up.

In particular, Erin Armstrong and Essie DeBonet showed tremendous leadership and courage as patients' rights advocates during the session. Special thanks to others: Fred MacDonald and Leo Atreides of NM NORML -- http://www.nmnorml.org/home.htm -- Brad Brooks and Melissa Milam of DPA, Valerie Hubbard, Sage Davis and other advocates who may prefer to remain unnamed but whose efforts moved the hearts of legislators. Finally, I want to thank our bill sponsor, Senator Cisco McSorley, D-Albuquerque, whose courage and commitment are unforgettable, who kept our spirits high when we felt all hope was lost, and who worked tirelessly to get this bill through.

We had other victories on methamphetamine-related legislation and funding, which I will email you about next week. Right now, the governor is debating whether to call for a special session to advance some of his priority initiatives that did not pass, including the minimum wage bill. There is always hope that he would include medical marijuana in this agenda.

Thank you so much for your unwavering commitment to sick and dying patients in New Mexico.

Sincerely,

Reena Szczepanski Director, Drug Policy Alliance New Mexico http://www.improveNewMexico.org

http://www.drugpolicy.org/news/021705nm.cfm

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Comment #19 posted by Storm Crow on February 17, 2006 at 14:14:19 PT
Doing the math!
OooooKay! They say they confiscated 135,232 cannabis plants worth $270 million and that makes it #8 in cash crops. What about all the cannabis they DIDN'T get? One estimate I read a long while ago said that maybe one in 10 crops were siezed. Times change and LEO is better equipped, but even if it were now one in 4, I think this makes cannabis the NUMBER ONE crop in Washington! Apples = $962.5 million, $270 million times 4= $1,080 million!

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Comment #18 posted by siege on February 17, 2006 at 13:12:31 PT
Marijuana protects your brain
Marijuana protects your brain by Dana Larsen (01 Jan, 1999)

Studies reveal that marijuana protects against brain damage from stroke, heart attacks, and nerve gas.

Illustration: Roddy HeadingThe US National Institute of Health has found that chemicals in cannabis can reduce the extent of damage during a stroke, at least in rats.

Experiments with rat nerve cells, and then with actual rats, suggest that THC and cannabidiol, both compounds found in marijuana, can protect cells by acting as antioxidants, and could be useful in the treatment and prevention of stroke, heart attacks, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Researchers are investigating how cannabidiol and other antioxidants can reduce the severity of damage from "ischaemic strokes", in which blood vessels in the brain become blocked.

During ischaemic strokes, which make up 80% of all strokes, free radicals are released into the bloodstream. These harmful molecules are believed to cause stroke damage, such as paralysis and loss of speech and vision. Cannabidiol has potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, so it can neutralize free radicals and limit their damage.

Meanwhile, an Israeli pharmaceutical company called Pharmos is conducting human clinical trials using a synthetic, injectable version of cannabidiol, which they have dubbed Dexanabinol.

Dexanabinol's creator is Professor Raphael Mechoulam of Hebrew University in Jerusalem, who discovered THC in 1964, and has been studying cannabis for over thirty years.

Dr William Beaver, who chaired a panel assembled last year by the US National Institute of Health to review the medical uses of marijuana, called Dexanabinol "the most medically significant use ever made of marijuana."

The human clinical tests began in 1996 with 67 patients in Israel's neurotrauma centres. About 1000 patients will be involved in the next phase, at a cost of $15 million over two years. According to US medical investment analysts, Dexanabinol showed no serious side effects when administered to healthy volunteers.

Aside from the five million people worldwide who suffer a stroke or head trauma each year, there's another huge market for Dexanabinol, the US Army. US military tests on rats have shown that those exposed to Dexanabinol were 70% less likely to suffer epileptic seizures or brain damage after being exposed to sarin and other nerve gases. Dexanabinol is effective as both a preventative measure and as an antidote.

The military's greatest concern seems to be whether Dexanabinol possesses the same psychoactive and enlightening properties as THC and some other cannabinoids. Although THC and cannabidiol both provided equal defense against cell damage, cannabidiol doesn't have significant psychoactive effects.

Of course, the obvious corollary to this is that if synthetic Dexanabinol can prevent brain damage, then organic marijuana does so as well. So the next time grandpa has a stroke, try and get him to take a few bong-hits before the ambulance arrives. Better yet, give him a hash brownie each evening before he has that stroke. You might just save his life.

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Comment #17 posted by FoM on February 17, 2006 at 10:25:42 PT
Cocaine Not Marijuana Causes Blood Pressure Rise
Drug Abuse Raises Brain Hemorrhage Risk

FRIDAY, Feb. 17 (HealthDay News) -- Drug abuse could help trigger brain hemorrhage in young people, according to a study that found 20 percent of young adults who suffered burst blood vessels in the brain had abused drugs.

The study of 307 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage at a hospital emergency department found that a fifth of the 75 patients who were 49 years old or younger had drugs in their system.

"The dominant drug of abuse was cocaine, long recognized as a risk factor for intracerebral hemorrhage. Marijuana was another frequently abused drug, and is beginning to emerge as a risk factor for stroke. Amphetamines also were commonly abused," study author Dr. Michael Hoffman, director of the stroke program at Tampa General Hospital-University of South Florida, said in a prepared statement.

Intracerebral hemorrhage is often linked with high blood pressure in people over age 50. In this study, 57 percent of patients aged 50 and older had high blood pressure, compared with 33 percent of patients aged 18 to 49. Of the younger patients, 41 percent had malformed blood vessels in the brain, which increases the risk of a bleeding stroke.

The 30-day death rate for younger patients was 14.6 percent, compared with 21 percent for older patients.

"Intensive neurocritical care is the key to a successful outcome. Good medical care can salvage a high quality of life after a stroke," Hoffman said.

The study was presented Friday at the American Stroke Association's annual stroke conference, in Kissammee, Fla.

More information

Washington University School of Medicine has more about intracerebral hemorrhage.

Copyright: 2006 ScoutNews LLC.

http://www.statesman.com/health/content/shared-auto/healthnews/stro/530941.html

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Comment #16 posted by FoM on February 17, 2006 at 09:36:03 PT
Off Topic: For Those Who Might Be Interested
Potheads Show You’re Not Anonymous Online

http://muskogeephoenix.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060217/LIFESTYLE/60216045/1024

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Comment #15 posted by FoM on February 17, 2006 at 08:46:01 PT
siege
I find articles like that one just a way to get more money to fly helicopters and destroy more plants.

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Comment #14 posted by siege on February 17, 2006 at 08:43:09 PT
FoM
# 13 This just goes to show that they are dum, All they think about is the flowers! What about the rest of the PLANT??? won't give them any ideas! Art:

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Comment #13 posted by FoM on February 17, 2006 at 07:23:51 PT
Just a Note
I haven't any news so far to post. Here is an article I archived the other day.

Washington Marijuana Harvest Sets Dubious Record

http://cannabisnews.com/news/thread21599.shtml

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Comment #12 posted by dongenero on February 17, 2006 at 06:49:29 PT
great post observer
I love that......I'll watch for one of your naming concepts to pop up in the news.

Speaking of toxic chemistry, it's probably time for everyone to ditch the non-stick cookware.



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Comment #11 posted by gloovins on February 17, 2006 at 02:58:49 PT
crazy article- FoM its ok2, lp.org oks free fwding
2 Year-Old Illinois Boy Charged With Possession of Sugar

By Matthew Dailey

A 12 year-old boy from Aurora, Illinois was charged with a felony for possessing a look-alike drug. The boy brought powdered sugar into school and asked his teacher if he could conduct an experiment using sugar, the Chicago Sun-Times reported.

While the boy was in the bathroom, he joked to two of his classmates that it was cocaine, but then said, "just kidding." A janitor reported the boy to school officials after overhearing the boy's comments.

East Aurora School District officials called police shortly after and the sixth grader was arrested by Aurora police. He was detained at the police station and then released to the custody of his parents that same afternoon.

School district officials defended their actions saying the school handbook states that students can be suspended or expelled for carrying a look-alike drug. In a written statement, school district officals said, "The dangers of illegal drugs and controlled substances are clear. Look-alike drugs and substances can cause that same level of danger because staff and students are not equipped to differentiate between the two."

The 12 year-old boy's mother was outraged at how the school district handled the situation. She told the Chicago Sun-Times, "This is getting ridiculous. They treated my son like a criminal…This is no way to treat a 12-year old kid."

Jeffery Jefko, deputy director of Kane County juvenile court services, stated that penalities for juveniles are decided on a case-by-case basis, but if convicted, the sixth grader could likely face up to five years' probation.

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Comment #10 posted by mayan on February 16, 2006 at 18:22:35 PT
War on Cannabis Users
From the second article on the bulletin...

Researchers at the Sentencing Project in Washington, DC found that arrests for marijuana offenses, primarily simple possession, increased by 113 percent between 1990 and 2002, while drug arrests for non-marijuana offenses increased by only 10 percent.

It IS a war on cannabis users! Who sets this policy, the petrochemical and pharmaceutical industries?

THE WAY OUT...

Interview with President Day March for Truth Organizer: http://www.phillyimc.org/en/2006/02/19016.shtml

Jim Fetzer of Scholars for 9/11 Truth Interviewed on Al uh Looyah show: http://radio.indymedia.org/news/2006/02/8556.php

Scholars for 9/11 Truth: http://www.scholarsfor911truth.org/

Citizen's Counter-Coup: http://3c.911truth.org/

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Comment #9 posted by Hope on February 16, 2006 at 16:06:01 PT
Ok
I'm backing away from the keyboard.

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Comment #8 posted by Hope on February 16, 2006 at 16:05:20 PT
I'm down in "Cocomo"
with the Beach Boys.

Cool.



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Comment #7 posted by Hope on February 16, 2006 at 16:01:21 PT
Steel Carnival Drums
How cool is that?

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Comment #6 posted by Hope on February 16, 2006 at 15:52:04 PT
Observer
Bet you'd like it, too.

Observer...Thanks.

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Comment #5 posted by Hope on February 16, 2006 at 15:50:54 PT
Hit "Listen"
Listen as a Guest...if you will. I'm enjoying it and I think you might, too.

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Comment #4 posted by observer on February 16, 2006 at 15:49:23 PT
Pharma-Fascist Playbook
"The present study confirm[s] the ability of THC to confer cardioprotection on hypoxia-exposed cardiac cells . . .

Too bad it can't be patented. Tsk tsk.

Quick, some drug company will now do this:

Replace the naturally occurring hydrogen(s) on THC with fluorines and/or chlorines. I.e., creating a chlorinated or fluorinated analogue (toxic but what the hey). The chlorinated/fluorinated analogue is now patentable! Joy! $$$ Patent it. Call it Maricardizol or Cannicoriza or TetraCardiHeal or some such medical-sounding baloney and sell it for the BIG BUCK$, claiming you spent jillions of dollars and years on research to get there. Sure, your patent-drug chlorinated/florinated analogue is toxic as hell and won't break down for another ten thousand years where it will sit in the ecosystem, and/or breaks down into dioxins (or worse) and tumorify the next 1000 generations of man and beast alike.

But jail all the more people who use cannabis, and continue to buy off easily bought politicians (that's most all of them), and also "concerned parent" groups with the crumbs of the profits.

Repeat, mocking anyone who suggests government cease jailing cannabis users as anachronistic adherents to old-timey patent-drug snake-oil, which, thankfully, "society" has "advanced" beyond -- due to marvelous governmental (wink wink) institutions like the FDA, the DEA, and so on.

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Comment #3 posted by Hope on February 16, 2006 at 15:48:01 PT
gw
http://www.radiomargaritaville.com/listen.aspx

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Comment #2 posted by Hope on February 16, 2006 at 15:34:00 PT
Bet you just made a prohib
reach for a valium.

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Comment #1 posted by unkat27 on February 16, 2006 at 15:25:47 PT
a prediction
Of course, for anyone that knows Gov. Romney of MA, this is no big revelation, but for the record, I will predict that the neocon-loving repug will veto this one.

Let's hope the MA House follows the RI example and over-rides the veto.

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