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  NORML's Weekly News Bulletin - September 28, 2006
Posted by CN Staff on September 28, 2006 at 18:45:57 PT
Weekly Press Release 
Source: NORML  

NORML Study Finds No Causal Link Between Marijuana Use And Depression

September 28, 2006 - Baltimore, MD, USA

Baltimore, MD: Marijuana use by adults is not a statistically significant predictor of depression, according to the results of an ongoing longitudinal study to be published in the October issue of the journal Addiction.

Investigators at John Hopkins University in Baltimore and at the Bloomberg School of Public Health in Santa Monica assessed the association between self-reported marijuana use and current depression in 8,759 adults (age range 29-37 years) over a 17-year period. Investigators concluded, "After adjusting carefully for baseline differences between adults who subsequently use marijuana and those who abstain, the significant associations that are initially present between ongoing marijuana use and depression are substantially reduced, if not eliminated."

They added, "The findings reported in this paper suggest that the associations observed between marijuana use and subsequent depression status may be attributable not to continued marijuana use, per se, but to third (common) factors associated with both the decision to use marijuana and to depression."

A separate study co-authored by NORML Advisory Board Member Dr. Mitch Earleywine and published last year in the journal Addictive Behaviors determined that adults who use cannabis report suffering from less severe incidents and/or symptoms of depression than non-users.

"Despite comparable ranges of scores on all depression subscales, those [respondents] who used cannabis once per week or less had less depressed mood, more positive affect, and fewer somatic (physical) complaints than non-users," authors wrote. "These data suggest that adults apparently do not increase their risk for depression by using marijuana."

Commenting on the most recent study, Earleywine said, "This new data is actually markedly stronger than my earlier work because the investigators utilized a large, representative sample and conducted long-term follow up research. If marijuana use caused depression, this design model would have revealed it by showing the development of symptoms in users. There's simply no support for the idea."

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the study, "Marijuana use and depression among adults: testing for causal association," appears in the October issue of Addiction. To listen to an interview with Dr. Mitch Earleywine about the study, please download the September 27, 2006 edition of the NORML Audiostash.

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7059


Oral Pot Spray Aids Glaucoma Patients, Study Says

September 28, 2006 - Oxford, United Kingdom

Oxford, United Kingdom: The oromucosal administration of natural THC extracts temporarily reduces ocular hypertension in glaucoma patients, according to the findings of a pilot study to be published in the October issue of the Journal of Glaucoma.

Six patients diagnosed with ocular hypertension or early primary open angle glaucoma participated in the randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Investigators measured the impact of THC, CBD (cannabidiol), or placebo on patients' intraocular pressure (IOP) following single dose administration. Elevated IOP can cause damage to the optic nerve and is considered to be a leading risk factor for glaucoma.

"Two hours after sublingual administration of 5 mg [of] delta-9-THC, [patients'] IOP was significantly lower than after placebo," investigators found. "[Patients'] IOP returned to baseline level after the 4-hour IOP measurement."

Investigators further reported that a single dosage of CBD had no impact on IOP in low doses (20 mg) while elevating patients' IOP at high doses (40 mg).

Clinical trials performed at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1971 first reported that inhaled cannabis temporarily reduces ocular tension.

An estimated three million Americans suffer from glaucoma, which leads to blindness if left untreated.

For more information, please contact Paul Armentano, NORML Senior Policy Analyst, at (202) 483-5500. Full text of the study, "Effect of sublingual application of cannabinoids on intraocular pressure: a pilot study," appears in the October issue of the Journal of Glaucoma.

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7060


Canadian Parliament Cuts Medical Marijuana Research Funding

September 28, 2006 - Ottawa, Ontario

Ottawa, Ontario: Federal funding that had been earmarked to pay for clinical research on the therapeutic use of cannabis will no longer be available to investigators, under budget cuts announced this week by Canadian government officials.

The $7.5 million dollar Medical Marijuana Research Program (MMRP) , initially established in 1999, was axed as part of a government proposal to eliminate $2 billion in federal programs. A separate Health Canada program that oversees the production and distribution of medical cannabis to federally authorized patients will remain in place, at least temporarily, despite the cuts. Fewer than 300 Canadian patients are estimated to use cannabis provided by Health Canada due to its reportedly poor quality.

Despite earmarking funding for cannabis research, only one clinical trial investigating marijuana's therapeutic potential was ever approved by Canadian health regulators. That study, which seeks to assess the safety and efficacy of smoked cannabis in chronic pain patients, remains ongoing.

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

DL: http://norml.org/index.cfm?Group_ID=7061

Source: NORML Foundation (DC)
Published: September 28, 2006
Copyright: 2006 NORML
Contact: norml@norml.org
Website: http://www.norml.org/

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Comment #37 posted by paulpeterson on October 03, 2006 at 16:28:49 PT
whig
Thanks for the words, brother. I may just do that sometime. But I may want to come with my mom, Anne, age 93, she used tea a few years ago and lost an Alzheimer's "fog & cloud" in 20 minutes.

Thank God she is my friend and supporter in the MM battle here locally. She is short on cash also but she would rather find the gas money for a road trip than see me on a bus to who knows where.

Thanks for the fond dream of a better place. Maybe after the leaves fall some kinda road trip is in the wind-like that Mary Poppins woman, eh? PAUL PETERSON

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #36 posted by whig on October 02, 2006 at 16:43:52 PT
Paul
If you have no money in Chicago, then you are as well off out here as anywhere, which isn't to say that you are going to discover a pot of gold. But you can be poor anywhere, pretty much. If you can manage to scrape up just a bus ticket, to get yourself out here, forget about bringing the meat, just bring yourself. At least you will be free to see a doctor and get a recommendation for marijuana. It might help you settle your mind.

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Comment #35 posted by paulpeterson on October 02, 2006 at 15:52:23 PT
whig
What is that, a joke or something? "Can I market my ideas in any state?" Not without money, I can't. No gas money, no insurance money, no testing money, no phone money, nothing.

I'm stuck in the mud, been ruled delusional because of my ideas, unemployable, with too many ideas about freedom, and a desire to impart knowledge. Out here on the plaines, nobody wants to listen about new ideas. The drug war mania has gotten so bad here, anything that smacks of a "buzz" causes people to walk away from me in fear. And now I have to wait around for the Iowa Supreme Court to decide how to muffle me further-since I have claimed to them that two police officers committed perjury at my criminal trial 8/23/06. The judge dismissed the charge as soon as the county prosecutor was done. Pronto. He didn't want to hear any contradictions. Now he won't give me a transcript so I can pursue the investigation.

Think the Iowa Supreme Court will want to see their own county prosecutor get took down by perjury? Nope. They will just bury me further for the asking for the investigation.

But, whig, get the TFA's out of your diet for a month and see what happens. I'm certainly open to suggestions as to where to go. But I need gas money and a destination so I don't get nowhere with 100 pounds of thawed meat that nobody wants to admit is possible. PAUL PETERSON

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Comment #34 posted by paulpeterson on October 02, 2006 at 15:43:56 PT
ekim
I emailed Dr. Weil on his website a year ago or so. Never heard back. Nobody I ever contacted about this "idea" never, ever returned an email. I figure it "tweeked" too many red flags in the "left" brain areas of too many "filters".

I suppose when people become successful in some idea or endeavor, they set up systems around them to maintain some sort of "privacy" or something. Then, the people that "insulate" the powerful person from input become the "filters". The attitudes of the filters must be skewed towards safety and relative "rightness" of a path of action. Any time some guy like me comes in with a paradigm changing idea tends to make such a "filter" so scared (of presenting a weird idea to the boss, etc.) that the idea is censured by a little guy that merely wants to keep a job. Idea doesn't get through. Stopped.

Another good example of this was a time I spoke with Willie Nelson's people-farm aid. They were coming to Chicago for a concert and "farmer's market" setting. One person was very receptive (over the phone) but then I went to the farmer's market and the other guy I met was totally uncool and unreceptive. A farm aid guy actually had the farmer's market "police" escort me off the market area and introduced to a Chicago policeman who grabbed me and guided me quickly across the street and told he would be watching me-don't come back.

Imagine-being busted by one of Willy Nelson's people-for wanting to impart knowledge of an enibriation chemical I observed in a holistic farm animal feeding program. At a farmer's market setting. Near my own rebel held territory (North Shore of Chicago that has already decriminalized). And now I know the chemical imput is probably anandamide + oleomide + other endocannabinoids.

So, of course, when Willy was in Chicago that time, nobody called me back when I told them to tell Willy about this and I would be glad to lay a few T-Bones on him and the band.

But thanks for the thought. Nobody really believes this is possible, let alone that some guy like me would be the first in the world to observe this effect. Or that right now I am so far into enemy territory that nobody ever feels the effects here-they are so mucked up by trans fatty acids that their blood-brain barrier is clogged and stuff like this don't get across. I am just hoping that the TFA free zone gets here so I can find people willing to believe this is possible-you must feel it to believe it. Even then it is a stretch. PAUL PETERSON

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Comment #33 posted by FoM on October 02, 2006 at 15:33:34 PT
Whig
I think you are doing a fine job. Please don't worry about how I feel. You must always be true to yourself or it won't work. That's what I've learned in life. Keep up the good work.

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Comment #32 posted by whig on October 02, 2006 at 15:07:36 PT
FoM
I know I've gone some new directions on the blog, I hope you still like it.

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Comment #31 posted by whig on October 02, 2006 at 15:05:07 PT
San Francisco
Paul inspired me to look for some music.

http://tinyurl.com/nz4nb

This should help encourage the young people to come out.

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Comment #30 posted by whig on October 02, 2006 at 14:44:50 PT
Paul
Can you market your livestock ideas in any state? I've suggested it before but why not come out West to California where the people are somewhat more openminded. It is always tempting to want to stay and educate the people where you are, but they do not learn until they hear more voices than your own. That is why we are congregating here and trying to speak from our safe ground. We have been here since the 1960s. We never left, but some had to quietly tend to the garden for awhile. There is a harvest, now.

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Comment #29 posted by ekim on October 02, 2006 at 09:50:13 PT
Paul please talk to Dr.Weil about your ideas
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4776 Effective Jan. 1, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires food companies to list trans fat content separately on the Nutrition Facts panel of all packaged foods. Under this rule, consumers can see how much saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol are in the foods they choose. As food and beverage companies comply with the new labeling regulations, consumers will see nutrition labels listing any measurable (at least 0.5 gram per serving) amount of trans fat in a separate line in the total fat section under saturated fat. However, no “Percent Daily Value” (%DV) for trans fat is shown. This labeling requirement applies only to packaged food products, not foods served at restaurants. However, it is important to note that the FDA is extending the trans fat deadline for those companies who seek a petition. Therefore, consumers should be aware that just because they do not see trans fat on the label of the product, does not mean that the product is trans free

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Comment #28 posted by paulpeterson on October 02, 2006 at 09:20:28 PT
Wayne-Why bicker about trans fatty acids?
TFA's are real killers. They plug up the blood brain barrier so our own "endocannabinoids" can't get through. That is why millions of North Americans are addicted the the sweet smell and taste of the green stuff-because it is not affected by "fast-food poisoning".

The drug companies love this stuff-since the "subtle" brain chemicals can't get across, people must flock to their doctors to buy artificial drugs to fill the void. People get permanently hooked on those drugs that merely fill the gaps left when our blood-brain gates get clogged up.

Later on in life, Beta-Amyloid plaques build up specifically because the blood-brain gate is so clogged up-then Alzheimer's kills brain cells. Of course, marijuana can still get across and do its job there as well. But most states in the good old USA don't allow the victims respite from the green stuff, eh?

And from my own research-I developed a livestock feeding program with high Omega 3 levels-it has an "enibriation" factor-but whenever I get some margarine by mistake-like I trust some lady to use butter but instead-she fools mother nature-I don't feel a thing for 6 days from eating my own meets. I had no clue this TFA stuff was that insidious.

My guess is that when people start to clean out-get the TFA's out-they will start to feel much better and get there own chemical engines humming with precision again. Drug companies don't like this idea, recall (which is why you should listen to me on this one, eh?).

But the real secret will not be known by most people until livestock raisers get the TFA's out also-then most livestock will start to produce Oleomide (from Omega 9-Oleic Acid) and Anandamide (from Omega 6-Arachidonic Acid) and Stearamide (this is my own invention-from Omega 3-Stearic Acid). And if people have cleaned out blood-brain gates, they will get a real buzz from quality meats-grass fed, ocean raised fishes, things that have Omega 3 levels and such.

Most chronic, degenerative, auto-immune and wasting syndromes are caused from total disregard of Omega 3 levels-and TFA poisoning over a 30 year period. TFA's are only now getting any attention whatsoever in media circles.

In my estimation, getting them out (TFA's) and increasing Omega 3 levels might just cure cancer yet. Any bets? PAUL PETERSON

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Comment #27 posted by Hope on September 30, 2006 at 05:32:03 PT
:0) Sensimilla Jones
You're on a roll!

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #26 posted by Sinsemilla Jones on September 29, 2006 at 22:14:49 PT
Hope, FoM - Please, no applause....

...just throw money.

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Comment #25 posted by Hope on September 29, 2006 at 20:18:10 PT
I think about it...
and I laugh again.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #24 posted by Hope on September 29, 2006 at 20:17:10 PT
Thou shalt have no chocolate before me.
That is hilareous.

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Comment #23 posted by FoM on September 29, 2006 at 10:20:45 PT
Sinsemilla Jones
Thou shalt have no chocolate before me. Too much!

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Comment #22 posted by Sinsemilla Jones on September 29, 2006 at 09:37:09 PT
FoM - "idol calories" - lol
Sugar, ah, honey, honey

You are my candy girl

And you got me wanting you

(to think of all the good lyrics I've thought of posting...)

Anyway, I think it's in Deuteronomy, "Thou shalt have no chocolate before me," which just means God gets the first bite. Um, maybe that's Deuterwonkamy.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #21 posted by Wayne on September 29, 2006 at 05:31:24 PT
what is the world coming to??
Why are we bickering about trans-fat? There are so many harmful substances in food today, we couldn't begin to eliminate them even if we wanted to. Let's ban red dye #40, saccharin, and high-fructose corn syrup while we're at it. Maybe we could put all those food manufacturers in jail with the poor cannabis users, and let more burglars and rapists go free. Oops, maybe I should keep it down...we don't want anyone in power getting any ideas.

It's funny that the feds would have the audacity to create legislation regarding trans fat, when we haven't even cured AIDS and cancer yet. Yet again, education is the way to go on this, not legislation. Let's quit making stupid laws, people, and start using our brains...

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #20 posted by mayan on September 29, 2006 at 04:00:42 PT
Nanny State
Federal trans-fat plan best: Officials http://tinyurl.com/m2zzj

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #19 posted by whig on September 28, 2006 at 23:58:42 PT
Goodnight
Goodnight FoM

Goodnight Hope

Goodnight Moon

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #18 posted by Hope on September 28, 2006 at 22:34:55 PT
:0)
Goodnight, FoM.

Goodnight, Whig.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #17 posted by Hope on September 28, 2006 at 22:33:29 PT
I'll run over to Cannablog
and see what he says before I shut down.

I can't eat much sugar or carbs at all. They make me swell up. I don't mean just fat either. It's weird.

Ah...this hasn't posted yet. I tried to make a coherant post over at Cannablog...but I finally gave up. Perhaps tomorrow or tomorrow evening I can respond. I'd like to post the driving studies...but am just too tired to find them. You'll probably get that done before I get back online.



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Comment #16 posted by FoM on September 28, 2006 at 22:22:50 PT
Hope, Whig and Everyone
I'm calling it a day too. Talk with you tomorrow if God is willin' and the creek don't rise.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #15 posted by Hope on September 28, 2006 at 22:17:11 PT
Didn't mean to troll through with a twinkie...
but I have to hit the sack. Got a big day tomorrow so I better get some rest.

Good night, friends.

Tasty Kakes are good...so are Hostess cupcakes...but those marshmallowy covered things...Snowballs....ooohhh...they feel so creepy, like they're alive or something.

:0)

Goodnight, anyway.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #14 posted by whig on September 28, 2006 at 22:16:52 PT
Hope
There's more from Dr. Tam but it was in moderation and I just noticed it and approved it.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #13 posted by FoM on September 28, 2006 at 22:16:46 PT
Whig and Hope
I like Hostess too. We can't get Tastkakes out here. We can't get Philly Cheese Steaks either. Maybe it's best we moved from Pa or I probably would have eaten myself into oblivion with food like that around.

Hope, All kidding aside sugar in large amounts isn't good. It has so many idol calories too.



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Comment #12 posted by Hope on September 28, 2006 at 22:13:07 PT
Actually...
my twinkie was no ordinary twinkie.

It was a red velvet twinkie. Ran on to them accidentally in the grocery store yesterday. Couldn't resist giving it a try. Wasn't overly sweet actually.

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #11 posted by Hope on September 28, 2006 at 22:10:32 PT
I'm not a sugar fan...
my children still give me hassles about how I deprived them of sugar because I was a health food nut.

It all just gives me the feeling of a dangerous Nanny State closing in.

Of course, no one's ready to put kids into rehab programs over sugar consumption...I hope...but who knows what's next.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #10 posted by whig on September 28, 2006 at 22:07:19 PT
FoM
I liked Hostess Cup Cakes.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #9 posted by FoM on September 28, 2006 at 22:06:31 PT
Twinkie
I never understood what was so good about a Twinkie. I grew up on Tastykakes. Those were to die for! LOL!

http://www.tastykake.com/

[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #8 posted by whig on September 28, 2006 at 22:04:50 PT
Summarized
http://cannablog.wordpress.com/2006/09/28/cannabis-treats-depression/

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #7 posted by Hope on September 28, 2006 at 22:03:41 PT
Maybe, though...
it will just be full sugar soft drinks that are banned.

Ooops...they're already doing that in schools though.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #6 posted by FoM on September 28, 2006 at 22:03:22 PT
Hope
That's interesting.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #5 posted by Hope on September 28, 2006 at 21:56:11 PT
Must have been that
Twinkie.



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #4 posted by Hope on September 28, 2006 at 21:54:58 PT
Sorry
Should have visited Tiny URL. Didn't notice in time.

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #3 posted by Hope on September 28, 2006 at 21:53:47 PT
Sugar linked with mental problems in Norway study
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=healthNews&storyid=2006-09-28T204517Z_01_N28374556_RTRUKOC_0_US-SUGAR.xml&src=rss&rpc=22

Sugar Prohibition next?



[ Post Comment ]

 
Comment #2 posted by whig on September 28, 2006 at 21:30:52 PT
typo in press release
"Casual" should be "Causal"

[ Post Comment ]
 
Comment #1 posted by ekim on September 28, 2006 at 19:37:16 PT
tax and regulate
that will more then make up for the

The $7.5 million dollar Medical Marijuana Research Program (MMRP)

Canada o Canada you have been growing Hemp since 96 ---

Our Ex. Cia Dir. James Woolsey has said that the new Tech in Cellulose Ethanol is here and you in Canada will have its first Plant up and running.

Just last week on our History Ch here in the USA we heard from our National Renewable Energy Lab. In Golden CO. where the develoment of these new feed stocks have been taking place. The researcher said that one acre of SwitchGrass will yeild 1,150 gals. of Ethanol. With the cost of the enzymes at 25 cents a gal.

Canada how many tons of Hemp do you grow, how does that match up with the N.R.E.L figures for switchgrass and how many tons per acre are they counting.

Canada you are using Hemp for car parts -- food-- feed stock -- plastic -- soon Ethanol --- \

Dont let your most needy go with out medicen only to have to Buy a spray that you must import.

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